Page 6 - Hobe Sound Reflections - September '22

Page 6, Hobe Sound

busiNess spotliGht

Kelley Decowski Joins EFMC Martin counties from 2004 follow in the footsteps of their community-minded mom
Her two children, Tyler and Sarah, are learning to
to 2014, before re-entering
Board the world of real estate as who says, “I think it’s really important for kids to learn
a full-time agent in 2014. about social responsibility from an early age. There are
By Jackie Holfelder As team leader at The all sorts of ways we can help other people and it’s not
Kelley Decowski, an award-winning realtor at RE/MAX Kelley Decowski Team at always monetary. Sometimes the best gift we can give is
of Stuart, has joined the board of directors of the Education RE/MAX of Stuart, she’s our time.”
Foundation of Martin County (EFMC). also known for philanthropic In her spare time, Decowski loves to run and is an
Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the nonprofit shared endeavors, which have avid reader.
news that the Palm City resident has become part of the always included education. She’s looking forward to working with the EFMC
team that enriches and enhances educational opportunities She says she joined the Board of Directors under the direction of EFMC’s new
for all students and teachers in the Martin County School EFMC board “in order executive committee, Kate Cotner, president; Patrick
District, through effective fundraising efforts, positive to work with other like- McNealy, first vice president; Karina Talalay, second vice
collaborative partnerships, innovative programming, and minded individuals who Kelley Decowski. Provided president; Michael Moehring, treasurer; Tyson Waters,
efficient allocation of resources. want nothing more than to by Education Foundation of secretary; and Arati Hammond, immediate past-president,
Decowski is a product of the Martin County School see our schools succeed.” Martin County to ensure that the not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), community
District, graduating from Martin County High School in 1993. Decowski is a former investment organization comprised of business leaders,
She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in communicative board member of Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast, community volunteers, and school officials has its most
disorders and a Master of Arts in English education from past president of Hibiscus Children’s Center Guild, supporter successful year ever.
University of Central Florida. of Martin County High School and Gertrude Walden Child To learn more about the Education Foundation of
After working in real estate from 1997 to 2004, Care Center. She’s also a member of Cleveland Clinic/Martin Martin County, visit www.educationfoundationmc.org.
Decowksi taught in public schools in Orange and Health System’s Mum Ball committee.

Good Works from page 5 The mission of Communities Connected for Kids is BIMWERX, Native Bloom and more. And, thanks to the
to enhance the safety, permanency and well-being for all hard work of State Senator Gayle Harrell, who, together
McCarthy combined data using Google Maps to children in Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast through with State Representative Dana Trabulsy, helped secure
create a map that can be easily shared and embedded on a community network of family support services. an additional $1.3 million, signed by Governor Ron
community partners’ websites in hopes that the nonprofit DeSantis in June 2021.
community will embrace the resource. In the future, he Guardians For New Futures Addressing the crowd, Senator Harrell stated, “We
hopes student volunteers will update and expand the map Children’s Advocacy Center, are a community-based system based on partnerships.
to ensure that the listed resources remain up to date. This is so key to the vision that the state of Florida has
“We are fortunate to have many places people can Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for taking care of children.”
turn for help here in Martin County. I hope to continue to The newly appointed President of Cleveland Clinic
build awareness of food insecurity, so people feel more And Celebration Martin Health’s Tradition Hospital, Dr. Madhu Sasidhar,
empowered to reach out and get help.” also shared his thoughts,
Applications for the next class of Students United Nearly 200 supporters of the new children’s advocacy “The Cleveland Clinic has a long history of partnering
members are open until Sept. 23 for students in grades 9 to center accepted the invitation to celebrate the grand opening with like-minded organizations to improve the lives of the
11 who are Martin County residents. For more information of the “Circle of Care,” designed to improve recovery community we’re serving. Partnerships are key. We’re so much
or to apply, visit United Way of Martin County’s website outcomes for abused children within the 19th Circuit. The more effective when we partner and collaborate with others.”
at www.UnitedWayMartin.org/StudentsUnited. vision for Guardians is to be the leading innovators in the Karen McElveen with the Sebastian Exchange Club
To access the Food Finder Map, visit www. fight to end child abuse. presented a check for $10,000 to Chief Executive Officer
UnitedWayMartin.org/FoodMap. The task of drawing the supporters to the facility, located Caroline Vinyard to be allocated to a soon-to-come sensory
at 8561 S. Commerce Centre Drive in Port St. Lucie, proved healing garden. The garden’s design will help children by
Neighbor Who Took In Little to be reasonably easy. Bringing together the various child- improving health outcomes. These gardens provide a place
of refuge and promote healing in children, families, and the
welfare agencies under the same roof took time and funding.
Girl Awarded For Advocacy Thanks to the unwavering determination of Guardians for professionals working in the field. Any environment can
New Futures President Debbie Butler, things began to come promote healing, but gardens are particularly able to do so
Not all children have together. Quite incredibly the project was completed within because humans are hard-wired to find nature engrossing
advocates. Fortunately for just 16 months from the initial launch in January 2021 to and soothing. Additional funding is needed.
one 8-year-old girl in the completion in April 2022. For more information, or to sign up for our second
local foster-care system, Many generous donors stepped forward, including annual golf tournament, presented by Remnant
Jenny Starts was there to be Peter Jones, Richard and Lori Tambone, Cleveland Clinic, Construction on May 21 at St. Lucie Trail Golf Course,
that advocate. Andrew and Robin Hunt, Morgridge Family Foundation, please visit GFNF4Kids.org.
Starts and her husband,
Brent, took on the role
of caregiver earlier this
year when their friend and
neighbor, who was a foster
parent, could no longer care
for the child.
Communities Connected for Kids recently awarded
Jenny the Topaz GEM – or Going the Extra Mile – award
for her advocacy for the child’s dental and health care.
Communities Connected for Kids oversees and coordinates
the child-welfare community in Indian River, Martin,
Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.
The little girl “ended up spending a lot of time with us
when our friend’s mother passed away, so we said we could
just keep her with us,” said Starts, a former foster care and
adoptions recruiter in the California system of care.
The couple began the process of becoming what is called
a “Level 1” caregiver – someone who is licensed to care
for a specific child rather than any child in need of a foster
home. And that’s when the real advocacy began.
“She had a need for dental care that required sedation
that case management had been working on for several
months,” said Mary Altiery, case management supervisor
in Martin County who nominated Starts for the award.
When an appointment in Orlando didn’t work out,
Starts began working with case management to find a
provider who could help.
“Mrs. Starts was able to locate a local dental surgeon
who was able to get the child in immediately,” Altiery said.
“She went above and beyond in advocating for that little
girl and to considerable time and expense to herself to get
the child the dental care needed.”
Starts’ tireless advocacy extends beyond her own home.
She is currently in the process of opening a Christian-based
school with her friend Meghan Pybus. The Stuart school
opened its doors Aug. 15.