#HelpKidsClimb
We are Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend, a community-based non-profit organization providing quality, comprehensive services and shaping futures of at-risk families with children ages 0-3 and pregnant women in Jefferson, Leon & Madison counties, Florida. We would like to bring a 24 foot rock climb to Tallahassee, Florida for our 14th Annual Kidsfest event on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the North Florida Fairgrounds. The rock climb will attract older children and expand attendance. This will enable us to raise more money for the families we serve. The cost to rent and bring the portable 3-person rock climb to Kidsfest is $1,200.
Money raised from Kidsfest enables Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend to provide quality comprehensive services to 220 at-risk children (and their families) and 42 pregnant women (and their families). Our classrooms have a 1-4 teacher/child ratio with a maximum of 8 children per classroom. A minimum of 10% of the children served have special needs. Speech, occupational and physical therapists come to the classrooms and work one-on-one with children needing these services. A Health & Disability Coordinator works with families and staff to ensure their child's health and medical needs are met and nutritious meals are provided daily. A Family Advocate works with parents to ensure they have the ability to access needed community services. Family Engagement Activities help parents improve parenting skills, learn how to prepare resumes, interview for employment, and discover ways to become financially literate.
We get results. We have had children who entered the program as special needs children, who leave no longer with that designation due to our early intervention services. We have had children enter our classrooms at age 2 without the ability to walk, speak or feed themselves and by the time they transition out of the program a year later, they are walking, talking, feeding themselves, interacting with other children and adults and learning age-appropriate skills. They are, in short, on track to enter school ready to learn....all because we provided quality, comprehensive services that were targeted to that child and family's unique situation and needs. We recently conducted a community assessment and conducted a survey by volunteers of client families who were asked what they considered the strength of our organization. Here are just a few of their responses:
- the small classroom size and opportunities for parents to participate in workshops and training
- developmental screenings
- they provide children with their every day nutritional needs
- they are consistent with the educational goals for my child
- everyone is friendly & caring; there is a sense of family...where there are difficult times, there is someone to talk with
- quality care and whole child/family approach
- the staff is very patient with my child
- having people I can talk with when I need help
- knowing my child is learning a lot
- helping the children learn new skills & preparing them for school
In order to provide these services, we must raise $1 locally for every $4 we receive in our Early Head Start grant. This fiscal year we must raise $852,173 in local match! 14 years ago we began a fundraising tradition in our community called Kidsfest. It's based on a simple concept: invite business and community organizations to provide a hands-on activity for children and they can share information about their services/products to the grownups while the children play. In order to make it an event that is affordable for all income-level families, we charge a minimum admission fee and all the activities are free. That way a single mom of three can attend knowing her children will be able to ride ponies and slide down a giant water slide without worrying she can't afford it. We have live children's entertainment and we also sell refreshments through local food vendors, who share a portion of their revenues with us.
From the first Kidsfest 14 years ago, we have drawn crowds in the thousands, especially families with younger children. This year we'd like to expand attendance by having some attractions that will expand our audience to families with older children. This will increase our revenue and help us meet our local match goal. With your donation of $10 or more, you can help us have a successful event and help children on their path to a healthier lifestyle. Help us continue to shape the futures of some very special children and their families.
| A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL–FREE 1-800-435-7352, WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION # CH2073. |
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- The CauseVox Team
Won't you join our campaign to bring a 24-foot tall, 3 person portable rock climb to Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend's 14th Annual Kidsfest on Saturday, May 2, 2015 in Tallahassee, Florida? 
