FFCR 20th Annual Claws for Kids Program by ffcrmiami

WELCOME

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN FLORIDA FOSTER CARE REVIEW’S 20TH ANNUAL CLAWS FOR KIDS FUNDRAISING LUNCHEON!

For 36 years, FFCR has been guided by a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves a safe home, a nurturing family, and the chance to reach their full potential. Together with our dedicated volunteers, partners, and professionals, we fill critical gaps for children and youth impacted by foster care - connecting them with caring adults, forever families and the resources they need to thrive.

CandiceL.Maze,JD ChiefExecutiveOfficer

We are deeply grateful to every individual, corporation, agency and foundation whose generosity sustains our mission. A special thank you to our Champion Sponsors - Lisa & John Chidsey, Kaisa & Doug Levine and The Menard-Kafka Family. Your extraordinary commitment to FFCR’s mission is truly inspirational.

To our steadfast partners - judges, community organizations, child welfare leaders and elected officials - thank you for your dedication to children and families in our community. To our incredible volunteers, Board members and Host Committee members - you are the heart of FFCR, and we could not be successful without you.

Today, as we celebrate 20 years of Claws for Kids, we look ahead with hope, determination, and the knowledge that together, we are making a difference.

With gratitude,

Board of directors

Aaron Gordon, President

Jennifer Gross, Vice President

Christopher Hutchins, Treasurer

Ruth Behlman, Secretary

Michelle Weber, Immediate Past President

Iris Acosta • Lourdes Aviñó • Ellina Berdichevsky

Julie Bruno • Adrienne Coyle • Sandra Dan

Martha Garcia • Latasha Hines • Dara Jeffries

Paulina Kimbel • Alexander Rattner • Ruth Rios

Kara Sharp • Raina Shipman

2025 HOST COMMITTEE

ELLINA BERDICHEVSKY, CHAIR

IrisAcosta•NellieBarcia•RuthBehlman

JulieBruno•RebeccaGordon•PaulinaKimbel

AmandaPaz•RainaShipman•NatalieSpiegel

FEATURED SPEAKER

LYNETTE WOODARD

Lynette Woodard is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, WNBA pioneer and the first woman to play with the Harlem Globetrotters. A four-time All-American at the University of Kansas, for 43 years, Ms. Woodard held the all-time women’s college basketball scoring record with 3,649 points.

Her many accolades include induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (twice) and 16 other halls of fame, along with honors such as the NCAA Top Five Award and the Flo Hyman Award, presented by President Bill Clinton.

Beyond her illustrious career as a player, Ms. Woodard has excelled as a head college coach, mentor, stockbroker, and leader in medicine, embodying excellence in every role. A trailblazer, she is a worldwide inspiration, leading not just in points scored, but in lives touched.

CHAMPIONS THANK YOU TO OUR PROTECTORS

GENEROUS SPONSORS!

ADVOCATES

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

KAUFMAN ROSSIN

MITCH & LOURDES MARENUS

COMMISSIONER MICKY STEINBERG

FACILITATORS

AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS • BAY PLUMBING

CARLTON FIELDS • CITRUS FAMILY CARE NETWORK

SANDRA DAN • DUANE MORRIS • EIGHTFOLD CAPITAL

JLL • KASOWITZ LLP • KILPATRICK • NFP • REGIONS BANK

TRIGILD • WHITE & CASE LLP • ZOMMA GROUP LLP

FRIENDS

LULY & JAVIER AVIÑÓ • ADRIENNE DEAN COYLE

REBECCA & AARON GORDON • HUNTINGTON CONSULTING GROUP

JENNIFER GROSS • KOZYAK TROPIN & THROCKMORTON

SCHWARTZ MEDIA STRATEGIES

VISION

Everychildshould havethecare, loveandadult supporttheyneed toreachtheirfull potential.

OUR MISSION

Webridgegaps, buildrelationships andcreate connectionsfor children,young adultsand familiesimpacted byfostercare.

“ALONE

WE CAN DO SO LITTLE,

Henry and Charles* spent eight long years in foster care, separated by multiple disrupted placements and group homes. When a forever family seemed out ofreach,FFCRsteppedin.

Being mindful of the boys’ initial resistance to adoption, FFCR helped connect Henry to an adoption-competent therapist, supported his foster parents through monthly roundtablesessions,andlinkedCharlestomartialartsto boost his confidence and self-esteem. Henry’s foster familyeventuallywelcomedCharlesintotheirhome.

Thanks to the targeted services and community resources they’d received, the brothers finally felt ready to be adopted. After years of uncertainty, Henry (14) and Charles (10) are thriving with their forever family, with renewedhopeforthefuture.

"Thankyousomuchfor interveninginthiscase.I rememberhowchallenging andoverwhelmingthe adoptionprocesswas beforeyourintervention.I wouldnothavebeenable togothroughthisadoption processifyouwerenot heretohelpusthroughit."

-AdoptiveParent

TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH.”

When the five Suarez* siblings were adopted by their aunt, it felt like the happy ending they had longed for. But soon after, life unraveled. Hurricane damage, reduced work hours, and mounting bills left their aunt - now a single mother of fiveoverwhelmed.

"Youknowyouwillforeverbe inmeandthekids’life.You’re oneoftheonlypositivepeople whohelpedusthroughthe situation.Youwentonfacts andneverjudgedus…I’m forevergratefultoyou."

–ReunifiedParent

InoneofFFCR’sFamilySupportcheck-ins,shetearfully admittedthatshewasconsideringreturningthechildren tofostercare.FFCRimmediatelytookaction.Ourteam securedrentassistance,replacedspoiledfood,delivered fansuntiltheACwasfixed,andobtainednewbeddingfor thekids.

With her immediate needs met, their aunt regained stability and picked up extra work hours. Because of FFCR’s quick response, five children were spared reenteringfostercareandremainedastablefamilyunit.

*Namesandlikenesseshavebeenchangedtoprotectprivacy

LEGACY CIRCLE

$100,000+

BILZIN SUMBERG

LISA & JOHN CHIDSEY

PEGGY & DOUG HUDSON

KAISA & DOUG LEVINE

$50,000+

RUTH & ADAM BEHLMAN • ADINA & JOHN BRUNETTI JR THE FAMILY OF JUDI BASH • COMMISSIONER SALLY HEYMAN MARYANNE LUKACS & MARIA BURES

THE MENARD-KAFKA FAMILY • THE ROSTOV FAMILY

STARWOOD PROPERTY TRUST • WHITE & CASE THE ZAKARIA FOUNDATION

$25,000+

KATE CALLAHAN & PETER BENJAMIN

CHRISTOPHER HUTCHINS • MITCHELL & LOURDES MARENUS

STEPHANIE & MICHAEL ROSEN • BARBARA & GENE ROSTOV

FUNDING PARTNERS

RAFFLe DONORS

IN-KIND DONORS

“I always count my blessings after the day of volunteering, so blessed to be in the company of such bright, caring people.”

-Longtime FFCR Volunteer

are the heartbeat of our organization. Thank you for generously sharing your time, talent and treasure with children and young adults in foster care!

FY 2024-2025

64 active volunteers

1,871 hours served

970 hours of training completed

$125,132 of donated time

November28th-December15th

Sponsoredby

Thisholidayseason,makeadifferencewitheverygiftyou give!Participateinouronlineauctionandbidonluxury items,dreamgetaways,gourmetdining,andlocalfavorites. 100%ofeverywinningbidhelpsFFCRbridgegaps,build relationshipsandcreateconnectionsforchildrenand familiesimpactedbyfostercare.

Doubleyourjoyandcelebratetheseasonby givinggiftsthatgiveback!