Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Check this out!

Our fantastic Practicum Student created this video for our Tutoring Program called, "Become a Tutor" !!!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Volunteer Tutors Needed

We desperately need volunteers to tutor local foster children. Can you imagine being abused or neglected, placed into foster care, possibly being separated from your brothers & sisters AND having to struggle with schoolwork?

With all the other drama in their lives, these special children need some consistency and support with their homework, developing study skills, reading, history, math and more! It's not just about tutoring, it's about mentoring.

Volunteer tutors meet with learners once per week in a public setting. Free training is provided and volunteers must be 21 years old. Please visit our website for more information and the Volunteer Tutor Application.

Thank You!!

Thank You!

A special Thank You to Springfield AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals) for a $318 donation to support our work with local foster children! We truly appreciate their support as we serve some of the most vulnerable children in our community.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Thank You!

Thank you to Malone Finke Eckhardt & Collins, Inc. for a $700 donation to support our programs! We also want to thank Old Missouri Bank for a $650 donation to assist local foster children through our agency.

We truly could not meet the needs of our community without your help. Thank you so much.

We need your Support

With the number of children in foster care from our county on the rise, we are struggling to financially meet the demands for our services. We have also set new service records for 4 of our programs in 2010 and continue to serve approximately 600-750 children per year.

Because we are 100% funded by donations and private grants, we need your help. Your donations are used to help purchase new clothing for foster children, match foster children with volunteer tutors, provide hygiene items and extracurricular activities for foster children--and much more!! We educate and mobilize our community to support local child victims of abuse & neglect, while also serving the needs of the children and reducing extra financial strain placed upon their foster parents.

Please consider making a donation by check or securely online. Checks should be made payable to CCO-AFC and mailed to Ambassadors for Children, 627 N. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65802. Any amount is truly appreciated! Making a donation in honor of a friend or family member also makes a perfect unique gift. Thank you so very much:-)

2010 Child Abuse & Neglect

The Greene County Juvenile Office has completed their 2010 Child Abuse & Neglect statistics for Greene County, MO. There was a tremendous increase in the number of children placed into foster care, averaging 42 children per month. This is up from the average of 25 children per month in 2009.

Chronic Neglect continues to be the leading factor for children being placed into foster care from Greene County, followed by Drugs/Alcohol issues.

On a positive note, the number of children reunited with their parents after foster care increased 5%, so credit is due to the Greene County Children's Division and Juvenile Office for helping this happen!

You can view all the stats online at: http://www.greenecountymo.org/juvenile/file/abuse10.pdf

New Year, New Fun!

We are thrilled about 2011 and the exciting things we have planned for this year! We have an intern with our office from January-May and are looking forward to our 2nd Annual Appreciation Dinner in April.

We will also take part in the Annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner on May 5th and will be eager to begin planning for the Annual Price Cutter Charity Championship fundraiser golf tournament this summer.