News & Updates
Connect with The Libertore Fund for Children in Central Florida and the Florida Suncoast to improve at-risk children’s quality of life with the tools they need to succeed.
If you are a partner agency and would like to share an event or contribution update, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fill out the form at the bottom of the page.
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Children have a universal language and it’s their imagination. To further unlock this skill, the gift of literacy is needed. Unfortunately, the data suggests that the COVID-19 disruptions affected learning trajectories for all students, especially those who were already high-risk or needing accommodations. Reading is a complex skill that requires decoding and during these times the demand for resources to support literacy is ever-present. A gift of $25 a month will change the trajectory of a child’s life. When you’re giving, select the Education fund. It’s that easy to help our children further their imagination and literacy skills.
Help Children Learn, Donate to Education.
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Last week, in Florida, one out of every four infections happened in someone 19 or younger.
Most school-aged children have returned to school or will be in the next week. Many parents across the country are faced with the sad reality that they are not sure how to protect their children from the COVID-19 virus. In Florida, we have already witnessed thousands of children testing positive for the virus and entire school grades being quarantined within the first week of school.
My grandson lives two hours away and I received a frantic call from my son, his dad, asking if I could drive there NOW and stay for two days because Miles was exposed to someone with Covid and couldn’t go back to school until Monday. Neither his dad nor mom could take off any more days of work. They had no one to help and all of us were thrown into a stressful situation. Luckily, I was able to find a way to keep him. What happens the next time?
There are no words to describe the internal struggle parents grapple with these days while trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy for their children. The fear of them coming home ill due to exposure is probably greater. Whether we agree on facemasks, vaccinations, or virtual school - our children are suffering and parents are not ok.
While many parents are juggling work while still providing care by staying home when a child tests positive, or while under quarantine, they may not have the village of support they were promised. It could be the single mom that lives alone with her children across the street or the young couple 2 pews behind you at church.
Let’s be the light in these dark times.
Where do we go from here? How can we show support? What will the next phase of the pandemic look like? We don’t have these answers but what we can do is reach out to the parents of school-aged children that you know. Check in to make sure they’re getting the rest they need. Ask them if there’s anything you can do. Offer to drop off dinner or a board game, help with schoolwork, babysit for an hour or just be there to listen. If you are the parent that needs support, reach out to a friend, a neighbor, a church peer, the school, or a community partner and ask for help.
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Summer Fun Ideas For Every Family!
Summer is a great time to create family fun memories. We've collected a lot of ideas that are inexpensive or free for your family. Making a plan for weekly activities will make it easier to be prepared to do the activities. Include the kids in the planning and gathering what is needed for the week.
For example: Monday – water play (make a water blob), Tuesday – science experiment (make a volcano), Wednesday – kids cook dinner, Saturday – field trip to the farmer’s market, the park, a museum, etc.
Here are just a few summer fun ideas to make those memories with your kids and grandchildren.
- Visit a local farmers' market: Feast on the fruits and veggies of the season and enjoy a few locally-made treats
- Collect rocks and paint them: Turn them into pet rocks, garden ornaments, kindness rocks, or gifts for family members
- Create a treasure hunt: Do it on your own property or around town
Get the Full List Here
Children Still Waiting For Summer Scholarships
Summer is a fun time for many kids and families, but not all children are fortunate enough to enjoy vacations, fun excursions and free time with family and friends. Parents still have to work and often they are unable to afford a day camp to send their child(ren) to during the day. At LibFund, we know it is important for kids to continue learning, socializing and being safe. That is why we fund summer scholarships for children to attend safe, caring places where they can thrive like the Boys & Girls Clubs and Girls Inc, and parents are able to work without worrying about their children being home alone.
We want to continue providing scholarships and you can help by donating and choosing scholarships for After School & Summer Youth Programs.
Help Send A Child To Summer Camp
Happy Father's Day, Dads!
"The Imprint of a father remains forever on the life of a child.” - Roy Lessin
Involved fatherhood is linked to better outcomes on nearly every measure of child wellbeing, from cognitive development and educational achievement to self-esteem and pro-social behavior stated by Child & Family Research Partnership in Texas.
https://www.fatherhoodresourcehub.org/pdf/CFRP_2017TexasFatherhoodSummit_DataWalk_copyright1.pdf
A Safe Haven For Newborns - Partner Spotlight
We are proud to partner with A Safe Haven for Newborns. A Safe Haven is just as its name implies, a safe haven for newborn babies to be dropped off when the mother finds herself in a situation where she cannot keep the baby. The Safe Haven partners statewide where the babies can be dropped off without any questions are hospitals, fire departments/EMS and ambulances.
They also assist pregnant girls and women in the form of referrals to counseling, shelters, maternity homes, providing temporary housing, help for abuse issues, providing baby items, connection to Medicaid, and recently assisted a woman considering suicide. They offer service hours for students and they can live anywhere to earn them.
”We cannot save every infant and guide every troubled mother, but we can make a difference for as many as possible, and WE WILL NEVER STOP TRYING.” - Nick Silverio, Founder
June Is Child Vision Awareness Month
There are over 5 million elementary-aged children with vision problems. Children with vision problems run the risk of serious academic, health, and social problems when left undetected or untreated.
Steps parents can take if they suspect their child has vision problems.
- Children should have their vision/eyes screened by their pediatrician at every well-child visit
- Pay attention to your child’s eyes: holding things too close, complaints about vision, or eyes that look different than normal should prompt a visit to the eye doctor
- Early signs of glaucoma in the first few years of life include bigger eyes, cloudy eyes, sensitivity to light, and tearing
The Libertore Fund for Children has partnered with the Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center serving the Southwest Florida area. For children, the Lighthouse Center focuses on children ages 6 to 13 years old who are visually impaired. Lighthouse offers a multitude of services at no cost, including daily living skills, assistive technology, mobility training, and social skills, that parents can depend on to ensure that developmental milestones are met to help them succeed in life, foster independence, and decision making.
- Build on social and technical skills learned in school
- Develop communication skills in children who are diagnosed with vision loss
- Prepare students with independent living and social skills to be more successful in all aspects of their lives
Help Children With Vision Loss, Donate Today!
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The children that find forever homes are blessed, but I believe that the adoptive parents receive the most blessings. All families benefit differently because each family is unique, but there is no doubt that an adopted child will enrich the lives of all family members by filling the home with life, love, laughter, new adventures, and challenges, too. Adoption can be a scary endeavor, but it is a blessing for both the child and the parent(s). I know, I adopted my son when he was 2 years old (he is now 39) and have enjoyed so many blessings over all these years. What children bring to the home, besides some challenges, are arms to hug, a mouth to kiss, words to say, “I need you, I love you, thank you for giving me a home, teach me, play with me, fight for me”. Adoption isn’t always an easy adjustment to your life and your family's, but once you make the adjustment, it is so worthwhile.
Considering adoption? Reach out to professionals and other adoptive parents, do your research and let your heart lead you.
There is a tremendous need for foster parents as well as adoptive parents to step forward for those children seeking stable, loving homes. The Heart Gallery exists to bring efficiency, and innovation to the foster and adoption process. In 2020, Matthew Straeb, President of the Heart Gallery of Sarasota designed and implemented digital software and proposed a statewide digital transformation for foster parent recruitment practices and it passed both house and senate appropriations. Read more, here.
Check out the Family Finder, and learn more about our agency partner The Heart Gallery of Sarasota.
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Summer is a fun time for many kids and families, but not all children are fortunate enough to enjoy vacations, fun excursions, and free time with family and friends. Parents still have to work and often they are unable to afford a day camp to send their child(ren) to during the day. At LibFund, we know it is important for kids to continue learning, socializing, and being safe. That is why we fund summer scholarships for children to attend safe, caring places where they can thrive like the Boys & Girls Clubs and Girls Inc, and parents are able to work without worrying about their children being home alone.
We want to continue providing scholarships and you can help by donating and choosing scholarships for After School & Summer Youth Programs.
