The Link: Providing Hope Through Outpatient Counseling

In 2019, Circle of Friends Services became a division of the Florida United Methodist Children's Home, now known as Residing Hope. This was a very important and vital addition to the growing range of services being provided by the Children's Home at that time. By providing trauma-based therapy to children and families at an earlier point, it was possible to avoid the need for higher levels of care including therapeutic residential care and foster care.

Today, Outpatient Counseling remains a critical service available through Residing Hope. These services are provided on the belief that all individuals, both children, youth and adults, can cope with traumatic life events and go on to lead productive lives with the proper help and support. There are a wide range of counseling services available, and provided in the home, at school, or in the more traditional office setting. Some of the counseling services rendered are:

• Individual/Family Therapy
• Infant Mental Health
• Supervised Therapeutic Visitations
• Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessment
• Post-Adoption Support Group

Residing Hope's Outpatient Counseling program has offices in DeBary, Bradenton and Kissimmee. Additionally, licensed therapists provide counseling services in Hillsborough, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia Counties. If you believe someone you know would benefit from the services provided by Residing Hope Outpatient Counseling, have them call 386.259.5413.

Approximately 20,000 youth are emancipated from foster care without a permanent family. In 2021, 77% of eligible youth in foster care, ages 14-21 years old, left care without receiving the federally funded services necessary to prepare them for adulthood and independent living. Our Independent Living program worked with 16 young adults last year, thanks to you!

May is National Foster Care Month, a time to acknowledge families and professionals who help children and youth in care find permanent homes and connections. There are over 391,000 children and youth in foster care in the United States. Please consider how you may thank those families and professionals in your local area who work to provide foster care for our children and youth.

May is the perfect time to promote the Foster Care program of Residing Hope through special collections or by participating in the 38TH Annual New Horizon Golf Classic and Silent Auction on Saturday, May 18th from 7:30 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at the Jacaranda Golf Club in Plantation! Registration cutoff date is May 15th and you can register online at www.bidpal.net/nhgolf. For more event information you can email.

All of the proceeds from this event benefit the Foster Care Program of Residing Hope. Last year we served more than 165 children and youth in Foster Care in throughout Volusia, Flagler, Broward and Palm Beach counties, including two Foster Care Cottages on our Enterprise Campus with plans for future expansion. For any questions re. Foster Care, please contact our V. P. of Foster Care Services, Cedric Davis. Thank you!

As school winds down this month, we are making plans for the start of school in August. We always need school supplies and invite you to promote this need with your church. This is a wonderful opportunity for your children during Vacation Bible School or a Summer Mission Emphasis for the entire church.

Additional Needs

• FILE FOLDERS
• DOUBLE SIDED TAPE
• ART SUPPLIES (ACRYLIC AND WATER
  COLOR PAINT, AIR DRY CLAY, PLASTICINE CLAY, GESSO, WASHI TAPE & PAINT BRUSHES)
• HIGHLIGHTERS
• COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK (8.5"X11")
• BINDER CLIPS
• BINDERS (HARD) 1 ½", 2", 2 ½"
• CORRECTION FLUID
• FOLDER WITH WITHOUT PRONGS
• POST-IT NOTES
• SCHOOL NEEDS LIST - HIGHEST PRIORITY
  
• COPY/PRINTER PAPER
• POSTER BOARD
• DISINFECTING WIPES
• COMPUTER HEADSETS
• TISSUE BOXES
• FLASH DRIVES
• *PLEASE NO PENCIL SHARPENERS, SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS, OR HARD PLASTIC PENCIL CASES*

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LYNN BELLOMY - VOLUNTEER RELATIONS SUPERVISOR - 386.668.4774 EXT. 2321

Members of the Stetson University Women's Basketball team provided a clinic as well as fun for some of our youth. Just one of the many activities set up by our Recreation team. Big thanks to the Women Hatters for coming out!

If you'd like to give to Residing Hope, please choose UM FL Children's Home from the Fund List.