FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carolina Schwarz

Voices For Children Foundation

Tel: 305.324.5678 ext. 12

MEDIA ADVISORY

Guardian Ad Litem Program to collaborate with “It’s Your life”
for an informative seminar aimed at youth transitioning out of foster care

August 14 , 2006- Miami, FL

WHO/WHAT: The 11th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Program in partnership with “It’s Your Life” has organized a seminar for youth ages 17 to 23 who are transitioning out of the foster care system. The seminar is aimed at answering questions posed by changes brought about by new statutes in independent living funds. To attend the event, youth should contact their Independent Living Program or the Guardian Ad Litem Program at (305) 579-5733 ext. 2280 or (305) 548-5400. Portable CD players, IPODs and computers will be raffled. Lunch will be provided as well as bus passes for youth in the system.

WHEN: Saturday, August 19, 2006; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Dade County Courthouse, 73 West Flagler Street, Courtroom 6-1
(West Flagler Street, across the street from the Government Center).

WHY: New statutory changes to the Independent Living Program, approved in July and recently adopted, have brought about an array of changes and questions for youth transitioning out of foster care. The GAL program is partnering with “Its Your Life” to conduct a seminar to inform all youth about how changes in the law will affect them and what their rights and responsibilities are under this new legislation.

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,

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 dependency 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.

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