Page 6 - Martin Downs Bulletin - November '21

Page 6, Martin Downs

good works

Guardians For New Futures

Child Summit 2021

Article and Photos by MaryAnn Ketcham
The Guardians for New Futures Ninth Annual Child
Summit successfully engaged well over 200 participants
in person at Baron Real Estate in Port St. Lucie and via
Zoom. The two-day event consisted of informative talks
and presentations by experts from various fields with
a dual focus – changing the child abuse system in our
community and child advocacy in action: resources in
our community.
The utilization of Zoom drew an audience from all over the coming CAC. “By establishing a circle of care and
the state and attracted professionals in child welfare from as colocating all of the stakeholders, we can significantly
far away as The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. reduce the trauma of the child. The child won’t have to
Keynote speaker and champion for children State tell their story multiple times.”
Senator Gayle Harrell opened the summit speaking about Additional topics covered included the impact
the advent of the new child advocacy center (CAC) in of domestic violence on children, children’s mental
the 19th Circuit, which she is hopeful to see open by the health after COVID-19, victim advocacy services,
end of the year. neuropsychological findings in child abuse cases,
Child advocacy centers unify the system in a local way Florida sexual abuse treatment programs, interviewing The Life Ring at the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast
leading to higher standards and more accountability. perpetrators in child sexual abuse cases, equine and music fishing and boating exhibit that C2 Equipment Rental, LLC,
Harrell also shared information regarding the passage of therapy, and understanding grief and loss in children. dedicated to Elev8Hope
two child-focused Senate A Sheriff’s panel moderated by WPTV’s Jon Shainman Photo provided by Elev8Hope
bills. Senate Bill 80 requires included Okeechobee Sheriff Noel Stephen, St. Lucie
that every child’s case County Sheriff Chief of Staff Garry Wilson, Lt. Yesenia believes strongly in helping others and giving back to
record include a face sheet Carde of the Martin County Sheriff’s Department, Captain the local community, couldn’t have found a more perfect
(a synopsis of best-interest Kyle King of the Indian River Sheriff’s Department, and way to honor and highlight the student leaders and
facts) to help determine the Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sheldon Burkett of the membership of Elev8Hope.
child’s most appropriate Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
courses of action. This module shed light on the uptick in disruptive behavior
Senate Bill 96, Harrell and mental health issues due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, Bringing Smiles To Wounded
stated, deals with the Internet crimes against children by online predators through Veterans – WVRF’s Dental
juxtaposition of child new apps, the rise in human trafficking, and more.
abuse and animal abuse. Guardians for New Futures President Debbie Program
CEO Caroline Vinyard Butler pointed out that “Sadly, these issues know no
espoused the benefits of socioeconomic barriers.” By Chrystal D. Rambarath
For more information, please visit GFNF4Kids.org. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer:
Life Ring At Children’s What do these afflictions have in common? According to
the Center for Disease Control, these and other chronic
Museum Dedicated To conditions can be linked to poor oral health. While in
some cases, it is yet to be determined if poor oral health
Elev8Hope causes these conditions, it is undeniable that many
illnesses can be detected during routine dental checkups.
By Jackie Holfelder Encouragingly, good oral hygiene and treatment can
Elev8Hope and the Children’s Museum of the Treasure reduce heart attacks by 35 percent. Though that is good
Coast share an important philosophy: that children can news for Americans who have dental insurance and those
be joyful and still have a sense of responsibility to that adhere to their biannual checkups, there is a segment
themselves and to others. of our population for whom this basic care is out of reach.
That’s why the homage that C2 Equipment Rental, Our veterans face danger of all sorts: enemy fire,
LLC, recently paid to Elev8Hope was especially biological and chemical threats, and more. But upon
meaningful and significant. their return home, they also face new dangers – threats
Recognizing the nonprofit’s mission to inspire youth that make their transition to civilian life difficult. One
to become passionate leaders who positively impact the silent, almost undetectable threat can be found in their
community of Martin County, C2 Equipment Rental, mouths. As many as 92 percent of veterans served by the
LLC, dedicated the Life Ring in the Children’s Museum’s Veteran’s Affairs system are ineligible for dental care
exciting new fishing and boating exhibit to Elev8Hope, benefits. Only honorably discharged veterans with a 100
since the work of the 501(c)(3) is dedicated to saving percent service-connected disability qualify for dental
lives in countless ways. care through the VA. Thankfully, nonprofits often fill
The state-of-the-art new exhibit isn’t just for play. The the gaps left unserved by the government and the private
museum’s goals include using the interactive display for sector.
raising awareness of such things as reduction of trash, The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF),
waste and pollution in local waterways. established in 2009, was created to support Florida’s
C2 Equipment Rental, LLC, which is locally owned,
operates from a position of honesty and integrity and Good Works on page 7

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