Page 6 - Martin Downs Bulletin - September '23

Page 6, Martin Downs

good Works

Family Promise Revs Up For The schedule of events at the Family Promise Bed Family Promise And Career
Race is:
Fourth Annual Bed Race • 8 to 9 a.m. Bed race dropoff and race registration Connect Have First Success
• 9 to 10 a.m. Bed judging Story
By Jackie Holfelder • 10 a.m. Parade of beds and race kickoff
You can buy coffee mugs and T-shirts with this great • 1 p.m. Awards ceremony By Jackie Holfelder
anonymous quote, “They said follow your dreams, so I Please note that times are approximate. A more The Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce new
went back to bed.” accurate schedule will be determined closer to the day Career Connect program and Family Promise of Martin
And you can make other people’s dreams come true of the event and communicated to team captains. County are a match made in heaven.
when you participate in one of the most fun-raising events Deadline to enter is Oct. 6 and space is limited. There In January of 2022, the chamber launched Career
on the Treasure Coast: Family Promise of Martin County’s are several options for sponsorship. Benefits include Connect Martin. The program supports both job seekers and
Annual Bed Race. social media mentions, logos on website for several employers: potential employees learn new skills and potential
On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Fourth Annual Family months and logo on race T-shirt with sponsorship of employers are introduced to nontraditional pipelines.
Promise Bed Races will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. $1,000 or more. After a stunning success rate its first year, the Martin
at 600 S.E. Flagler Ave., Stuart. For sponsorship information and to learn more, visit Chamber Foundation was established in May 2023 to ensure
The annual bed race is Family Promise’s premier www.mcfamilypromise.org/bed-race or contact CFisher@ that future funding for Career Connect Martin is secure.
fundraiser and monies raised will support its mission MCFamily Promise.org. To learn more about Family Promise With its template that provides residents who live in
to keep families together through intensive case of Martin County, visit www.mcfamilypromise.org. underserved areas of Martin County the opportunity for
management and mentorship. Family Promise is part of Photo provided by Family Promise of Martin County individualized job training and programs that will help
a national organization with a proven model who uses them secure employment, the organization is a perfect
an interfaith network and community-based approach to collaborating partner for Family Promise of Martin County.
prevent childhood homelessness. Hibiscus Children’s Center The mission of Family Promise of Martin County, a
Although the bed race exudes fun and good times, it Receives Literacy Grant From nonprofit, interfaith hospitality network, is to provide
also exemplifies the hardship experienced by homeless temporary shelter, housing, caring support, meals and a
families who often face the uncertainty of whether they United Way Of Martin County host of social services for working families with children
will have a bed in which to sleep. experiencing homelessness. Of course, stable employment
Don’t miss the creative and captivating creations on Hibiscus Children’s Center is pleased to announce that it is the glue that holds these other parts together. Family
wheels that participating teams will build. Based on last is the recipient of a $10,000 grant awarded by United Way Promise offers training and provides guidance and contacts
year’s great participation and the current pre-event buzz, of Martin County. This generous grant was awarded for the to help the families it serves as they navigate that search.
Family Promise is anticipating a record number of beds Hibiscus Literacy Program at the Tilton Family Children’s Recently, the first success story from the Career Connect
will take part. Florida Representative Toby Overdorf, Shelter and will help ensure children have the resources they Martin/Family Promise partnership was announced. Unique,
American Legion Harold Johns Auxiliary Unit 62 and need to learn to read and help foster a love of reading that will a Family Promise client and single mom who is extremely
the Association of Christian Business Women are just a benefit their entire lives! motivated to be successful in a career, started a job as a
sampling of those whose teams have already signed on. The Hibiscus Literacy Program provides individualized trial employee at Guaranteed Garage Repair in Stuart. After
Judges will include Florida State Senator Gayle assistance and opportunities for the children to strengthen and overcoming that hurdle, she is now working full-time as
Harrell, Florida Representative John Snyder, Martin enhance their academic and emotional development. It also helps an administrative assistant, making $18-plus an hour and
County Commissioner Ed Ciampi, Stuart Police Chief to foster a love for reading and provide a fundamental foundation learning new skills that will enhance her resume for the
Joe Tuminelli and Thelma Washington. for education. The literacy coordinator assesses each child and future. Unique and her sons are on the road to financial
This free event for the whole family will offer a determines his or her reading vocabulary and comprehension independence and security.
morning filled with bed races, vendors and food trucks, skills, learning styles, and current academic level, then an She says, “I have absolute gratitude for the opportunities
all in the comfortable shade of the Stuart Water Tower. individual development strategy is implemented that will lead that were provided by Family Promise. This organization has
Flagler Avenue will be closed to road traffic between to success. This includes collaboration with staff, therapists, helped my family in so many ways. One was the way in which
Ocean and MLK Boulevards so that everyone can enjoy and school personnel. Last year, 100 percent of children who I was introduced to Career Connect with such promising results.
the bed races racing down the street. participated in the literacy program improved their reading With their resources I landed in my career at Guaranteed Garage
Each bed will have a team of five people, aged 10 proficiency. Doors & Repair. I am happy where I’m working. These angels
and older. Cost to enter is $150 per team and each team Hibiscus Children’s Center was pleased to attend the God had placed in my life was exactly what my family needed.
member will receive an event T-shirt and swag bag. Community Impact Grant Award Celebration and partner with I don’t believe it was luck. My family and I are truly blessed.”
There will be awards for fastest bed, best overall our wonderful community to help improve and strengthen the To learn more about Family Promise of Martin County, visit
theme, best construction and design, people’s choice and lives of children and families in Martin County. Hibiscus is www.mcfamilypromise.org.
top fundraising merit. grateful to the United Way of Martin County for their partnership
and support of the educational needs of our children. For more
information about Hibiscus Children’s Center or how you can
get involved, please visit us at HibiscusChildrensCenter.org or
contact CDO Michelle King at mking@hcc4kids.org.

The Big Bed Wolf team in the 2022 race. (Rear) Stephanie Jay Kacprowicz, Jerry Koedyker, Tracey Yodice, Unique,
Pearson, Amy Burrell, Annie Jordan; (front) Becky Angela Kacprowicz
Richmond, Brittany Rhodes Photo by Cher Fisher

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