Rotary Ramblings - September 9, 2008

[ynotsue at bellsouth.net]

Many thanks to Lorie Garland for doing this week's Ramblings.  


ROTARY RAMBLINGS - September 9, 2008
 
Tom Cook did our invocation
 
Jim Pignato lead us in song – first a jumping rendition of #65 Sing Rotarians!
Then another favorite, #53, Red River Valley
 
Birthdays were announced for Candice Etzler, Kurt Godfrey, and Tom Cook
No Anniversaries
 
Craig Hammet wanted to introduce our visitors but we had none!  We did have one guest, Marina from Dr. Stephanie’s office.
 
Stock Market was down approximately 72 points as reported by Kurt Godfrey
 
Mike Campbell did the sergeant at arms report.  The club received $196 from various sources.
 
Leo announced that the Scholastic Achievement Foundation was having their 10th Anniversary Golf Tournament at Quail Ridge on Oct 11 (Saturday).
 
We were reminded of the 9/11 ceremony at Old School Square.  
 
Lyn Huckle resigned from the board and David Armstrong will complete her term.
 
The reading program at the Achievement Center for Children and Families begins on Sept 25th at 9am and 3pm.  Signup sheets will be available next week.
 
Alan Kornblau announced a fundraising project committee meeting after the meting.  Paint Up Delray Project date is TBA
 
Kate Handley was inducted and promptly welcomed.
 
Bob introduced our speaker Irvine Nugent, CEO and Jeff Demario, Program Director, of Vita Nova at Renaissance Village.  This wonderful resource for PBCounty houses kids from the age of 18-25 who have aged out of the foster care system.  With the way the county works, a foster child that turns 18 is dismissed from their foster home on their birthday regardless of their status in school.  They leave their foster home with a hefty bag containing their belongings.  The foster parents can let them stay if they so chose but this rarely occurs.  60% don’t allow them to stay after their 18th birthday.  Only 3% complete high school in PBCounty.  They are given a check by the state for $1014 in the last 6 months of the system to help survive after age 18.  Most do not know how to handle money.
 
These kids are typically unprepared to be adults in our world.  Most have never had a job, a bank account, bought clothes and many other things that we take for granted every day.  There are no rights of passage for these kids.  Many would be homeless without assistance from this program.  Nationally, at age 18 263,000 foster kids age out of the foster care system of those, 26,000 have no place to go.  In PBCounty, 150-300 age out and a large percentage would be homeless.  Les than 25% graduated from high school.  They are 7 times more likely to become substance abusers, 50% will become either victims or perpetrators of domestic violence, and 50% will be homeless within 18 months.  Vita Nova takes homeless foster kids first and then tries to target kids prior to their 18th birthday.  They take walk in kids if space permits.  
 
There is an evaluation done first to determine if the kids have the desire and motivation to succeed in the program.  This consists of a drug test, a psychological evaluation, and interview.
 
In order to give a place to stay to these kids, Vita Nova buys properties that have fallen into disrepair and fixes them up.  This not only helps with housing for the kids while they are in the program but helps to rehabilitate neighborhoods they are located in.
 
Vita Nova works on 3 core areas:  life skills, virtues, and rights of passage.  The goal is to get these kids capable to live independently.  Focus on education by helping them finish high school or look at attending college if that is possible.  Second, they teach them vocational skills.  How do you get a job?  How do you keep a job?  Social and emotional lessons are taught.  Once you get that job, how do you get along with your peers, boss. Etc.?  Next, they teach about health, nutrition and exercise.  And last, they teach finance.  How do you keep a bank account?  What’s an overdraft?  What is debt?
 
They are also schooled on 12 virtues.  Honesty, Integrity, Trust, Self Discipline, Forgiveness, Cleanliness, Commitment, Patience, Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance.  Rites of passage program also helps kids celebrate milestones, driver’s license, prom, graduation, 1st car, 1st job, 1st bank account, etc.  These are all things foster kids typically don’t have.
 
Funding is 30% endowment, 40% fundraising, 30% thrift store (which also employs the kids).  There is also a gala in April to raise money.  They offer the community a mentoring program that takes 1-2 hours per week along with any skills volunteers.  Angel Moms also help create home experiences like home cooked meals or a holiday with a family 1 or 2 times per year.  The thrift store repairs damaged furniture and resells it.
 
Since the program has been in operation, 4 kids have gone on to colleges out of state.  5 of 15 kids are attending PBCC.  Vita Nova is working in expanding their program so they can reach younger kids prior to their 18th birthday to help them be better prepared to become productive citizens.
 
Steve thanked our guests and presented each with a Rotary pen.
 
Green Hat is worth $1030.50  20 cards remain.  Jim Pignato pulled the Jack of Spades.  Better Luck Next time to us all!
 
Steve led us in the 4 way test and dismissed the meeting.  1st posting for Sid Breman, retired FAU professor and CPA.
 
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