Page 5 - The Islander - October '23

The Islander, Page 5

good WorkS

Senator Harrell And Rep. Roth Present $300,000

In State Funding To Center For Child Counseling

Meeting The Mental Health Crisis And Staffing Frontline Responders

The data is alarming: In 2021, 41.5 percent of Palm Beach In conjunction with the check presentation, there was a
County high school students reported that they felt hopeless, and discussion related to how the appropriations will be used to
20.7 percent of total high school students seriously contemplated mitigate the crisis. The center serves around 7,000 children
suicide (Palm Beach County Youth Behavioral Health Survey). and families each year in Palm Beach County, and there is
Florida Senator Gayle Harrell (District 31) and Florida Rep. Rick still a waitlist. The funding will directly address the extreme
Roth (District 94) presented a check for $300,000 to the Center backlog of 800 children on average waiting for services from
for Child Counseling (CFCC) on Friday, Sept. 8, in response to the center. The project will build a department of frontline
the children’s mental health crisis. responders – mental health and program specialists – to

The Singles Scene ©

Special Fall Edition by: Kelly 2. A chilling statistic reveals that only 17% of couples who
Leary, M.S. & Miranda Capparelli, meet through online dating platforms have lasting relationships
COO, The Revolution Dating Firm that lead to marriage or long-term commitment. In contrast,
matchmaking boasts a success rate of approximately 63%,
Save The Date! showing that carefully curated connections lead to more fruitful Left to right: Florida Rep. Rick Roth, Florida Senator Gayle
“I promise to keep you and lasting partnerships and friendships. Harrell, CEO of Center for Child Counseling Renée Layman,
safe from the vampires and 3. Note, the perks of personalization. As Halloween decorations
witches because that is what take over your neighborhood, it’s clear that people are drawn and lobbyist Matt Spritz stand with $300,000 check presented
a matchmaker is supposed to to unique and personalized designs as opposed to cookie-cutter to the center to help with the children’s mental health crisis.
do for you. Happy Halloween, images, right? PEOPLE ADMIRE CREATIVITY. Matchmaking
Friends.”~~Yours Truly offers this same touch in the realm of dating. As matchmakers,
As the cool autumn breeze sets in, the Fall Season marks the we invest time in getting to know our clients, allowing us to craft
last quarter of another year. This is a time of mystery, turnover, and connections that are not solely based on superficial characteristics
transformation. In a world where love and connection are increasingly but into the deeper layers of personalities and values.
distorted through digital overload, matchmaking has emerged as the As the moon casts its glow on the nights leading up to
only true powerhouse of quality social introductions. Matchmaking Halloween, it’s evident that matchmaking has emerged as
offers a more authentic alternative to the uncertainties of online dating the silver bullet in the world of dating. With statistics unveiling
and the bar scene. This approach is wildly attractive to busy young superior safety features and higher success rates, matchmaking
professionals, seniors, and people who cannot be seen online (CEOs, provides a haven of authenticity. October is the perfect time to
Lawyers, First Responders, Doctors, Teachers, etc.). Privacy matters change your ways. It is a GREAT MONTH to get out there again
to us and our clients. So today, we will delve into the eerie statistics or to rewrite the narrative on how 2023 will end.
that reveal why matchmaking is a beacon of light in the shadowy On that note, thank you to all of our new applicants who
realm of today’s dating culture. Have you heard of the Dark Web? have PRE-BOOKED their first interview with us. The good
Well, guess what: Dating via the web is one and the same. news is that clients who get started in October have a higher
CAUTION: The following information will spook you! chance of meeting an ideal dating partner before the high holy
As we all know, online dating predators often involve holidays and the turn of the New Year 2024. Make the last three
individuals creating fake profiles to establish emotional connections months of this year count. Your future self will thank you later. Florida Senator Gayle Harrell and lobbyist Matt Spritz
before ever meeting eye to eye. As digital dating has grown, so We can’t wait to meet you! applaud the efforts of what Center for Child Counseling is
has the opportunity for malicious catfishes and actors to take XOXO, doing to help children and families.
advantage of vulnerable hearts via the guise of a computer screen Kelly & Miranda
or smartphone. During our research in writing this article--even WE
were terrified (and that is hard to do because we have seen it all). P.S. Feel FREE to mention this article immediately support children and adolescents waiting for care
Consider us to be First Responders of love. We are your front-line and how long you have been reading it right now. The approach also focuses on building caregiver
warriors and have been for 32 successful years. Below are a few when you schedule your appointment. and community capacity to support children’s mental health.
facts you may want to absorb and share with your friends, based Some of you have been following this According to the center’s CEO Renée Layman, “No
on true stories (some very local and some national). column for more than 15 years. We thank child in crisis belongs on a waitlist when a parent or
-Yearly, there are approximately 16,000 abductions associated you for that too. Spread the love this
with online introductions. Single parents should be cautious of season. Let’s Rock-Tober! caregiver has reached out for help.”
dating if they have a child at home. This is another reason single #LoveOffline #LoveFearlessly #FALLinLove #CuffingSeason With this funding, mental health and program specialists
parents are attracted to our dating club. #MatchmakingRoyalty #AlmostPerfect #TellYourFriends will provide immediate triage and care for the children and
-Florida is the third state in the country with the highest Kelly Leary© has 32 years in the dating industry and a master’s families waiting for services from Center for Child Counseling.
number of catfish situation-ships and worse (too severe to mention degree in clinical psychology. She has been profiled by Modern In Senator Harrell’s address to the more than 20 mental
in this community newspaper). Luxury Magazine in the Fall 2023 Issue as a Dynamic Business
-This is true about meeting people in bars in Florida. Predators Woman. Look for it on shelves now. She has also been written about health specialists and staff in the room, she emphasized
often come here to troll the nicer bars so they can size up their in The Palm Beach Post, PalmBeacher Magazine, Stuart News, the work the State of Florida is doing with respect to the
possible target from head-to-toe IN-PERSON. Let’s not forget Jupiter Magazine, and many more. Revolution Dating members are resources allocated to our schools but recognized that
that you could get your drink spiked. This happens to men too, pre-screened in-person including background checks. Professional the need of addressing children’s mental health extends
fellas. One man in Miami recently woke up in a fog in his own photos are taken by the staff. Revolution Dating is NOT online beyond the schools.
home, only to have his Rolex and many pieces of art gone. He is dating or blind dating. In addition to providing matchmaking
lucky to have woken up, right? services that make singles “UN-single” through their exclusive “I think early intervention is absolutely the key, and the
-I personally met a woman locally who had a black eye. I felt club memberships, Kelly and her team also provide feedback from way to go. We need more mental health counselors. We need
compelled to speak to her. She told me she woke up on the side of your dates when appropriate. Mock Dates are available by request. more therapists who are really frontline. We need therapists
the road after a night out here in northern Palm Beach County. She Single Coaching Sessions and Evaluations are also available by to do treatment and that is essential,” stated Senator Harrell.
was so ashamed and did not want to even file an official report with request for non-members or as an add-on to some memberships. One in four children in Florida is experiencing a mental
the police, but I urged her to do so. *All inquiries are confidential.
-One in ten online daters have formal deviant complaints filed health or behavioral concern. “It is crucial that we address
against them...imagine the ones that go unreported! Around Town & In The this crisis, for the immediate and long-term well-being and
In monumental contrast, matchmaking offers HOPE in the Press: Love Is The Talk Of resilience of Florida’s children and families,” added Layman.
realm of the cold tech world. We, The Matchmakers, armed with The center has transformed the approach to mental
education, experience, vetting skills, and compassion, strive to The Town This Fall! health care using a public health framework of prevention,
create genuine connections based on compatibility, values, and
shared goals. Our personalized approach reduces the time, money, early intervention, and treatment to address the current
and headache that could result from online dating or a bar hook-up. crisis and build capacity for the future. It includes tiered
We also ensure that both parties are genuinely interested in forming implementation of services that prevent adverse childhood
a meaningful relationship. Why else would they join? This is an Revolution Dating Wins Best experiences, provide early intervention to mitigate mental
INSURANCE POLICY on sincerity. Matchmaking Service 2023! health concerns and trauma, and support children and
Still, believe that you are too smart to be a victim?
1. According to a study conducted by the Matchmaking Institute, families in crisis. Services are provided where children,
instances of hidden agendas and fraudulent activities are significantly adolescents, and families need them most – in-person
lower in matchmaking compared to online dating platforms (and (office, school, home, and community based) and virtual
the bar scene). The study found that matchmaking clients reported activities including: mental health support groups and
a mere 2% occurrence of insincere daters. At Revolution Dating, education; one to one mental health consultation for parents
we aim to weed these characters out of the ballpark OVER THE
PHONE. They are not invited into our office. If we don’t want to and adult caregivers; and a campaign to educate the wider
meet an applicant, nor should you. We are your buffer and we are community on how to support children’s mental health
PICKY. We also request a strict set of IDENTIFICATIONS over and resilience. Prevention services include community
the phone to scare away the bad guys for you. If someone is lying The Love Squad: Kelly, Miranda Stay Tuned...This A List Firm is and statewide education for parents and adult caregivers
about who or what they are on the phone, they are sure to unravel and Steven enjoy Palm Beach expanding their horizons and on specific mental health topics to build the ability of all
when we mention our “fab five” forms of IDs required to book their Island for a recent Revolution taking on new heights…by
in-person appointment. This is a great safety net for us and YOU. Dating Photoshoot! demand. adults to support children’s mental health and well-being.
Good Works on page 6