FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carolina Schwarz

Voices For Children Foundation

Tel: 305.324.5678 ext. 12

ART BOX BENEFITS ABUSED, ABANDONED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN

October 20, 2006- Miami, FL- Thirty locally and nationally acclaimed artists came together for Art Box, an art auction and cocktail reception that benefited Voices For Children Foundation, the fundraising arm of the 11th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program. The art event took place on October 19 at the First National Bank of South Florida.

Over 120 pieces of art were exhibited and auctioned off at the event, with the artists donating portions of the proceeds to Voices For Children to benefit the abused, abandoned and neglected children served by the Guardian Ad Litem Program. With Joe Arriola, former City Manager of the City of Miami as auctioneer, Art Box featured artists such as Rafael Soriano, Matty Marcos, Orlando Naranjo, Josevelino Rodriguez, Sande Keil, Alexis Lago, and Mari Sanchez.

Art Box also featured 25 mailboxes decorated by some of the participating artists, which were also auctioned off at the event. Conceptualized by Alina Montenegro, the mailboxes were thought of as a way to create awareness of art outside the home. At the same time, they help raise awareness about Voices For Children and child abuse issues. “Having a unique mailbox outside one’s house creates questions from neighbors and friends and it gives us an opportunity to make people aware of abused children and the role that Voices For Children plays in their lives,” said Flor Mayoral, the leading force behind Art Box.

The mailboxes also have a charitable side. Recognizing that the art auctioned at the event is not affordable to all patrons, Montenegro asked artists to decorate mailboxes as a secondary way of contributing to Voices For Children. In order to encourage donations for the organization, the mailboxes were placed at the entrance of the event and envelopes were given to all visitors. “Those who do not find any artwork they like during the visit are also welcome to make a donation to Voices For Children, however small,” concluded Mayoral. With a starting minimum bid of $100, nearly all the mailboxes were sold throughout the evening.

This is the second time that Voices For Children benefits from an event of this nature and the organization intends to turn this into a steady initiative. “The arts play a significant role in our organization, evidenced by the heavy artistic component of most of our events, special programs and collaborations we engage in. We are also very excited about having had Victor Vazquez, a former foster care teen, exhibit his art at this auction. His powerful work is a testament of resilience and dedication. The success he has achieved at such an early age shows the tremendous difference a Guardian Ad Litem makes in the life of the children we serve,” said Nestor Rodriguez, Voices For Children’s Chief Executive Officer.

Art Box comes in the midst of a series of artistic workshops Voices For Children is organizing for the children in foster care. The workshops, which range from photography to glass blowing, are aimed at allowing children in the foster care system to canalize their frustration and despair in a positive manner while building their self-esteem.

For more information about Voices For Children visit www.voices4.org or call 305.324.5678. To become a Guardian Ad Litem call 305.638. 6861.

Voices For Children Foundation is a not for profit organization that raises funds to ensure that every abused, abandoned and neglected child in Miami-Dade County has a court appointed Guardian Ad Litem and that financial assistance and other resources are available for their accompanying health, educational, and social needs. Guardians Ad Litem are trained, court appointed adults who serve as the representative voice for abused, abandoned and neglected children involved in dependency court proceedings. There are approximately 3,800 children in court proceedings who need representation, with the Guardian Ad Litem advocating for nearly 70% of them at any given time. Be a Voice, visit www.voices4.org.

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