22nd Annual Be A Voice Awards Luncheon
Voices For Children Raises More Than $130,000
Voices For Children Foundation, a local non-profit organization advocating for children in foster care, along with presenting sponsor Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson P.A., served as hosts to approximately 400 attorneys, judges, elected officials, community leaders, volunteers and supporters at the 22nd annual “Be A Voice Luncheon Transform – Inspire – Love” held on Friday, October 21, at Coral Gables Country Club, 997 North Greenway Drive Coral Gables, Miami, 33134. News anchor Laurie Jennings served as the emcee.
With help from supporters, Voices For Children Foundation raised over $130,000. The money will help ensure that abused, abandoned and neglected children in Miami-Dade County each have a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem and that resources are available to support their health, educational and social needs.
At the event, Voices For Children continued to educate and raise awareness about child abuse, foster care, the importance of the Guardian ad Litem program, along with collaboration with different organizations to improve the lives of children in the dependency system.
A touching moment came when Martha Valdes –Fauli, Co-Chair of the event paid tribute to her late husband Raul G. Valdes-Fauli. Judge Michael A. Hanzman spoke about his lifetime experience in the courtroom, Yolanda Valencia, Co-Chair of the event shared her experience as a Guardian ad Litem and Shakiyah, a talented young women going through foster care, performed a beautiful song.
At the event, Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez presented the organization’s Path Finder award to Denise McArthur. Despite many obstacles in her life including aging out of foster care, Denise recently graduated from Florida International University’s School of Communication, recognizing her triumph over child abuse.
In addition to Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, which has sponsored the annual Be A Voice Luncheon for ten consecutive years, the event was made possible by Platinum sponsor Galleria Farms. Gold Guardian sponsors including: Wells Fargo Insurance, Abigail Price-Williams, Miami-Dade County Attorney, and Miami-Dade County Commissioners: Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Audrey M. Edmonson, Sally A Heyman and Rebeca Sosa; and Silver Sponsors: Pacific National Bank, Plaza Construction, and Professional Bank. Brickell Magazine was the event’s media sponsor.
For more information about Voices For Children Foundation, please visit www.BeAVoice.org.
