FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carolina Schwarz

Voices For Children Foundation

Tel: 305.324.5678 ext. 12

MEDIA ADVISORY

High School Students Make Hurricane Duffel Bags
for Youth Aging out of the Foster Care Systeme

May 1, 2006- Miami, FL

WHO/WHAT: Palmer Trinity upper school students (grades 9-12) will be assembling hurricane duffel bags for teens served by the Guardian Ad Litem Program’s Transitioning Youth Project. The duffel bags will include items such as a toiletry kit, first aid kit, portable radio with batteries, a crank flashlight, and can openers. Palmer Trinity students secured items and will distribute them once bags are ready to some of the transitioning youth present.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 3, 2006, 2-3 p.m.

WHERE: Palmer Trinity School, 7900 SW 176th St., Miami, FL 33157

WHY: The students at Palmer Trinity School heard about the extremely unfavorable circumstances the youth aging out of the foster care system found themselves in during last year’s devastating hurricane season. As most of the foster teens were alone without any flashlights or any other supplies, the students decided to embark on a project to provide them with diverse items to help them through this year’s hurricane season and make a difference in their lives. The intention is to turn this into an annual initiative.

VISUALS: Palmer Trinity School students preparing hurricane duffel bags. Youth aging out of foster care receiving bags from students.

The 11th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program recruits, trains and supports court-appointed adults to serve as the representative voice for abused, abandoned and neglected children involved in dependency court proceedings. The Program expands upon a web of services to meet the complex needs of the children it serves, including the Transitioning Youth Project (TYP), which works to ensure youth leaving the foster care system have the adult relationships, education, housing, job and life skills they need to be successful on their own and become productive, healthy adults. To become a Guardian Ad Litem, call 305.638.6861.

Voices For Children Foundation raises funds to support the 11th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program in their efforts to provide abused, abandoned and neglected children in Miami-Dade with a voice in court. Additionally, the Foundation raises funds to ensure that financial assistance and other resources are available to meet the children’s educational, health and social needs. For more information visit, www.voices4.org.

Palmer Trinity School is a college-preparatory, coeducational, Episcopal day school committed to academic excellence and global awareness. The school serves 600 students from 35 nations in grades 6-12. The average class size is 16 with a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Located on 54 acres in southwest Miami’s Village of Palmetto Bay, the school offers an innovative wireless laptop program and, for international students, extensive English as a Second Language program. For more information about the school visit www.palmertrinity.org.

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