Page 8 - Martin Downs Bulletin - November '22

Page 8, Martin Downs

Kids Corner Good WorKs

Help Family Promise Of offices, two bathrooms,

Language Based Learning Martin County Buy A ‘Home’ a reception area,
kitchen, laundry, garden
Disabilities Of Its Own with kids’ playground
and a storage room for
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., By Jackie Holfelder our guests to use. It’s
School Psychologist The mission of Family Promise of Martin County, a nonprofit, perfect.”
Your child’s smart but interfaith hospitality network, is to provide temporary housing, The current asking
has unexpected struggles. caring support, meals and a host of social services for families price is $350,000.
Perhaps it worries you with children experiencing homelessness. Family Promise
so much that you awake The housing takes place in local religious congregations that has $40,000 that has
during the night thinking have joined in a consortium to support the guests who turn to – or been donated towards
about your child’s are referred to – Family Promise of Martin County. its purchase and is
difficulties. There is a The heart and soul of the nonprofit is its Family Center, engaging in its first
subset of children who which is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. An Capital Campaign to
have language-based on-site Family Service Coordinator, April Young, works with raise the balance. Emmanuel and Carmen, a former
learning disabilities guests to develop an individualized plan to help them regain Naming rights are guest family that was served by
which interfere with learning. Language infiltrates all permanent housing and self-sufficiency. The center also has available if you’d like Family Promise. Photo by Family
areas of life from our thinking to our talking. When a child laundry and shower facilities, as well as phone and Internet to direct a contribution Promise
has difficulty processing language, they often struggle in access for employment searches. towards a specific room
reading, spelling, writing, and with math word problems It’s the hub from which transportation to work, school, job or part of the center and plans are being developed for
since these areas require language. interviews and medical appointments are offered by the Family opportunities like personalized brick pavers.
A language-based learning disability refers to a Promise driver and van or public transportation. Family Promise, which is an affiliate of a national 501(c)
spectrum of difficulties related to the understanding and Now, in a stroke of almost divine intervention, the building (3) organization with a 35-plus year successful track record, is
use of spoken and written language. A language-based in Stuart from which the nonprofit (which was established in helping change lives every day. But as Bozone likes to assure
learning disability is often the root cause of a child’s 2018 and opened its doors in November 2020) has operated is people, “Every cent we raise stays right here in Martin County. As
academic struggles since weak language skills impede available for purchase. a matter of fact, the way the national organization is structured,
comprehension, oral and written communication. It can Madeleine Bozone Greenwood, executive director of Family they return funds to the local affiliates – the opposite of many
also interfere with your child’s attention, memory, social Promise of Martin County, says the building fits their needs in similar nonprofits.”
skills, perseverance, and self-regulation. A child can have virtually every way. “It’s close to stores, transportation, parks, Since its opened, Family Promise has served 288 families.
a general language-based learning disability or a specific medical facilities, just about anything our guests may need, even If you’d like to find out more about Family Promise, or
type such as dyslexia or dysgraphia. if they don’t have their own transportation.” how your contribution can help them purchase their own
Warning signs of a language-based learning disability in Adds Cher Fisher, director of Development and Community “dream home” from which to service guests, visit www.
young children include: a history of a speech and language Engagement, “We’ve got a gathering place for families, two mcfamilypromise.org or call (772) 266-9327.
impairment (remediated or ongoing), poor phonics,
slow choppy reading, poor reading comprehension, Holiday HappeninGs
difficulty following multi-step verbal directions, difficulty
putting thoughts into writing, forgetting small sight
words, knowing what to say but difficulty getting it out,
difficulty getting to the point when speaking, and poor 15th Annual Festival Of Trees The Dames and Deer Ambassadors have contributed to the
test performance despite having studied. And Lights Benefits Tykes success of the 15th Annual Festival of Trees in royal fashion.
Some students with language-based learning This year’s Grand Dame is Megan Shirey, Boys & Girls Clubs
disabilities are diagnosed young while other children And Teens of Martin County and Head Reindeer is Dale Rockefeller of
perform well in early elementary school and are Culver’s of Stuart and Jensen Beach. Other honorees are:
diagnosed later when the demands of language in middle By Jackie Holfelder • Andrea August, HCA Florida – Port St. Lucie
or high school increase. In addition, adolescents with Some people – or Hospital
a language-based learning disability have difficulty events – enjoy 15 • Sara Borlaug, Capstone IT
managing the heavy reading load from multiple classes. minutes of fame, but • Amanda Foster, Zarro Mortgage Group
Most individuals with a language-based learning for Tykes and Teens • Christina Franco, Hampton Inn and Suites
disability need instruction that is specialized, explicit, it’s been an impressive • Robin Hall, Out2News
structured, and multisensory, as well as ongoing, guided 15-year winning streak for the Annual Festival of Trees • Jill Hanson, One Hope Wine
practice aimed at helping their specific areas of weakness. and Lights. • Tami Karol, Tami Karol Insurance
School is often a struggle for kids with a language-based What began as a modest display of Christmas trees in • Evie Klassen, Colorado Pawn and Jewelry
learning disability but once you get them through school, front of Macy’s in the Treasure Coast Square Mall has • Nicole Lavelle, Jensen Beach High School – AP
these smart kids inherit a world of opportunities. grown into a multi-event celebration that ushers in the Psychology
If you need help with your child call as we test children holiday season, thanks to the award-winning nonprofit. • Nikki Leserra, Skys the Limit
ages 5.5 through college for language based learning The Festival of Trees and Lights will once again be • Resa Listort, AFLAC
disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and held from Nov. 13 to 19 at the Flagler Center in Stuart. • Annette Robbins, Realty ONE – Group Engage
other processing disorders. Visit JimForgan.com or call Amy Thornton, committee chair, ably assisted by Carol • Lisa Teetor, CSI Security
(561) 625-4125. Ball, Valerie Barcik, Evey Bassion, Sara Borlaug, Cory • Anne Warner, Waterpointe Realty
Carter, Jeannie Deiffenbaugher, Lorett Fribourg, Jennifer • Douglas Berger, Broward Motor Sports
Hearn, Paula Hundt, Lynn Lloyd, Anne McCormick, • Sam Bruning, Southern Magnolia
Your ad slate of joyful and joyous activities for every member of • Zack Hackley, Children’s Services Council of
Roseann Ryba and Sue Whittington, has assembled a
• Chad Fair, Immanual Lutheran
the family.
Martin County
could be here! A Family Day kicks off the festivities, followed on • Jay Kap, Guaranteed Garage Door
successive days by the always-delightful Joy to the Girls
• John Langel, Seacoast Air Conditioning
Cocktail Party, elegant Afternoon Champagne Tea, party-
• Brian Langworthy, VIP America
Call hearty Not So Silent Night Anniversary Celebration and • Zac Rockefeller, Culver’s of Stuart & Jensen
Beach
kid-favorite Breakfast and Photos with Santa. Visit www.
tykesandteens.org/festival-of-trees-2022 for specifics
561-746-3244 about each event. Holiday Happenings on page 9

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to find out how! Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD,

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