Sixteenth Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon and Conference

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the 16th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon and Conference is here!

On Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 at the Jacksonville Marriott  we held our one day conference, dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. The event includes Continuing Education Credits, and an Awards luncheon recognizing individuals and organizations in the community for outstanding contributions in the area of Child Abuse Prevention.

Our Keynote Speaker was Justice H. Mark Kennedy, and he spoke to a packed house about child abuse prevention:

RECOGNITION AWARDEES
Sylvia Burgess, Family Support Services of North Florida
Annie Williams, The Bridge of Northeast Florida
Andrea Trzcinski, Department of Children and Families
Lucy Farley, Jacksonville Children’s Commission
The Honorable Judge Dorothy Pate (retired), Daniel Memorial

The 2009 Awardees with keynote speaker Justice H. Mark Kennedy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Program: Parent Aide

Parent aides are professionall trained individuals who become a friend adn role model to parents who need help in dealing with life’s daily challenges. Parent Aides provide support and encouragement and address the special needs of the family. They help parents build confidence, self-esteem and coping skills. Many parents benefit by understanding the developmental needs of their children, while learning how to manage their home environment more effectively. Parent aides alo teach parents how to make social contacts and to use community resources.
As supportive, caring individuals, parent aides often make the critical difference  in enabling parents to succeed.  

On behalf of The Exchange Club Family Center and our local Exchange Clubs, we thank each of you, and all of the organizations and companies who attended, for your efforts to prevent child abuse.Exchange members from the downtown and beaches clubs working hard to check all of our guests in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Florida Times Union ad:

March 19th, 2009 Luncheon: Guest Speaker Wanda Simmons

This week’s guest speaker: Wanda Simmons, Director fo the Exchange Club Family Center

Wanda Simmons and host Steve King:

Wanda reported that children are no longer being taken from their families, but can remain with their family while problems are being dealt with. The Department of Children and Families is helping families to deal with their problems, while the children remain in their homes.  The DCF is referring families to the Exchange Family Center, as well as schools and churches.  A Parents Aide Program Certificate is given to the family at the end of the program, is the family does not complete the program, it is given back DCF.  Then the DCF refers these families back to the courts to deal with a Judge.

The center now has three workers, which are on a contract basis only.  They are paid hourly and must file a signed report from the family to receive payment.   Currently the Center is serving 20 families.   Wanda has a case load of 10 families; each new worker will have 5 families.  The new workers have not officially taken on their duties; they are still in training.  They hope to increase their number of cases to 35 by the end of the year.

 

Visit the website for more information: http://www.exchangeclubfamilycenter.com/

The Healing Field

The Jacksonville Exchange Club, The Jacksonville Beaches Exchange Club and the National Exchange Club Foundation will host a temporary flag memorial “Planting the Seed of Awareness” Child Abuse Prevention Healing Field® Flag Display from July 15 – 18, 2009, at beautiful Metropolitan Park.

More than 1530 large American flags will fly on a field of green in perfect rows similar to Arlington National Cemetery, one flag for each child who lost their life at the hands of abuse or neglect in our country in 2007. Leaders and volunteers are taking on this project to express the enormity of child abuse related deaths in our country and to recognize the 30 year anniversary of the National Exchange Club Foundation’s child abuse prevention programs.  All funds raised will benefit programs that strengthen families through the Exchange Club Family Center and the National Exchange Club Foundation.

Help us raise funds by sponsoring a flag for $100, or visit the website below to learn more about corporate sponsorship levels.

Please visit the website: http://healingfield.org/

 

 

 

 

Jacksonville Beaches Exchange Club Masquerade Ball 2008

The third annual Masquerade Ball benefiting the Exchange Club Family Center, a child abuse prevention center, was held at the Selva Marina Country Club on September 6th. Guests were treated to the sounds of the Retrokats blues band, a buffet dinner, and a silent and live auction. 

Prizes were awarded for best mask male, best mask female and best mask couple. Best mask couple Glenn Smith and his wife, Cindy Smith:

The event was emceed by Channel 4 Morning Show Team’s Nikki Preede, and was sponsored by local accounting firm Masters, Smith & Wisby, Merrill Lynch, and Dunn Wellness Center.

15th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon and Conference

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the 15th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon and Conference is here!

On Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at the Jacksonville Marriott  we will hold our one day conference, dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. The event includes Continuing Education Credits, and an Awards luncheon recognizing individuals and organizations in the community for outstanding contributions in the area of Child Abuse Prevention.

Physician Acosta-Ryan Honored at the 14th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon

Physician Acosta-Rua honored for work with foster children

A Jacksonville physician was recently honored for decades of supporting foster children. Maria Acosta-Rua was recognized for her work with foster children at the 14th annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon held recently at the Jacksonville Marriott.

Acosta-Rua has worked with at-risk and disadvantaged children with many of Jacksonville’s nonprofit child service agencies for more than 30 years.  She now works primarily with children in the foster care system.

“Dr. Acosta-Rua’s knowledge and expertise combined with her compassion and commitment makes her a foster child’s champion,” Rob Brown, president of Arlington-based Boys’ Home Association Family Services, said in a news release.

Brown says her dedication, commitment and devotion have dramatically improved the quality of the children’s lives. Acosta-Rua has worked with Boys’ Home’s group home and Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care children for 11 years.

JSO Officers Awarded at the 14th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon

JSO Officers Honored at the 14th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Recognition Awards Luncheon 

On April 11, 2007, Lieutenant Bobby Deal, Police Officer Brad Emerson and Detective Michael Davis were honored for their commitment to protecting children in Jacksonville.(Photo left: Police Officer Paul Tokarek; Detective Michael Davis; Police Officer Brad Emerson; Lt. Bobby Deal and Police Sergeant Jimmy Ricks)

Lieutenant Bobby Deal received the Life Time Achievement Award. Bobby has been with JSO for over 30 years and has been the Executive Director of the Police Athletic League since 1998.Lt. Deal works for the safety and  protection of youth and adults in the Jacksonville community.  He has devoted his professional life to supporting the Police Athletic League of Jacksonville’s mission of “filling playgrounds, not prisons.”  (Photo above right: Nancy Dreicer, District 4 Administrator of Department of Children & Families;Susan Rendall,Executive Director, First Coast Family Center; Lt. Bobby Deal and Stephen King,President of First Coast Family Center Board of Directors)

Police Officer Brad Emerson received recognition for the compassion he shows to all families and towards children in particular.(Photo Left: Nancy Dreicer, District 4 Administrator of Department of Children & Families;Susan Rendall,Executive Director, First Coast Family Center;Stephen King,President of First Coast Family Center Board of Directors and Police Officer Brad Emerson)

Detective Michael Davis also received a Recognition Award for his work in JSO’s Child Abuse Unit. Michael has been with the Child Abuse Unit for nine years and has always demonstrated a relentless pursuit towards the safety of children. (Photo right: Nancy Dreicer, District 4 Administrator of Department of Children & Families;Detective Michael Davis;Susan Rendall,Executive Director, First Coast Family Center;and Stephen King,President of First Coast Family Center Board of Directors)

Blast From the Past! 2005 Motorcycle Ride

In April of 2005, the Exchange Club of Jacksonville sponsored  a fantastic motorcycle ride to raise funds for our Exchange Club Family Center, in support of our child abuse prevention programs.

The first bike to register:

Waiting to ride:

The first group lines up:

Police escorts are out front and ready to go:

Second group lining up:

Finally! The first group heads out for a beautiful ride:

Thanks to everyone who came out to support our cause!