DEAR READERS I AM SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN OUR OCTOBER NEWSLETTER. THE ANGELS HAVE A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS GOING ON AND OUR NEWSLETTER WAS PUSHED BACK A WEEK. IT IS A SHORT ONE THIS MONTH BUT STILL FILLED WITH A LOT OF NEWS... | | WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK - The Angels are excited to share our website with you. If you notice anything that needs attention, please email Sandy at sandy@sandykearney.com. | | 2026 ANGEL FASHION SHOW THIS SATURDAY OCTOBER 10TH IS | | FOR THOSE GUESTS WHO ARE ATTENDING TH FASHION SHOW, WHEN YOU PULL INTO THE GARAGE OF THE ST PETE YACHT CLUB, TELL THEM YOU ARE ATTENDING THE ANGEL FASHION SHOW. | | |
OUR MEETING PLACE IS
BRIDGEPOINT CHURCH TYRONE
6690 CROSSWINDS DRIVE NORTH,
ST PETERSBURG, FL
MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 13TH 2026
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
PLEASE RSVP YOUR ATTENDANCE ASAP
PLEASE NOTE:
WHEN YOU TURN IN THE ENTRANCE OF THE CHURCH, YOU WILL SEE A PLAYGROUND AREA FOR CHILDREN STRAIGHT TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE CHURCH. THERE IS A DOOR THERE THAT IS WHERE OUR MEETING ROOM IS LOCATED.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT SANDY 727 804 7710 IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CALL VS TEXT
THE ANGEL MEETINGS ARE A WEALTH OF INFORMATION
YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS MEETING
Our September meeting's attendance was low due to the Labor Day weekend; however, it was still a very informative and great meeting thanks to our amazing speakers. In fact, they were so good that we will have a repeat performance from them in January 2027.
We greatly appreciate all of our guest speakers, who provide us with valuable input on what is happening in our community which allows us to stay informed thanks to their updates. We hope participation continues to grow because the more we work together, the stronger we are for the children and families we serve. Please RSVP so we can provide enough seating for everyone. We are also pleased to welcome new members and learn more about the valuable resources that support the children and
families we advocate for in our community.
OCTOBER 13th SPEAKERS
Crystal Wharton
The C.A.L.I. PROJECT
Mission
Our mission is to help young women aging out of the foster care system transition into adulthood with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to thrive in their communities
Loraine Fieurant
Children's Home Network Organization
Kinship Outreach Coordinator
Mission
Their mission is to offer much-needed support to relatives and non-relatives who become caregivers to children when parents are unable or unwilling to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children
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RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!
If you are a new organization and want to be included in our monthly newsletters, please send me your brief mission statements, website link and logo. This helps us keep everyone connected. Send to sandy@sandykearney.com.
ALSO: If you are a New Organization and want to speak about your mission at one of our meetings, please let me know so we can get you scheduled.
PLEASE rsvp by clicking on the button below. This helps us with the setting up of our meetingg room.
WE HOPE THAT EVERYONE WILL TRY TO ATTEND
RSVP PLEASE ASAP
sandy@sandykearney.com
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CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
As many of you know, our Christmas Giving Celebration is one of our most important annual Angel Programs. It gives the children and families we advocate for a special opportunity to experience the magic of Christmas. In past years, Pasadena Community Church hosted the celebration and helped make the day meaningful for everyone. This year, Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, will be hosting our Christmas Celebration December 9th 2026 at 4901 5th Avenue North, St Petersburg, FL. We will be setting up on December 8th if you want to volunteer. We are so grateful to Fifth Avenue Baptist Church for accommodating the Angels for this year's Christmas Celebration.
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2027 20TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY - ANGELS AGAINST ABUSE INC
Please Mark your Calendar - You won't want to miss this special night
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ATTENTION READERS:
April 17th 2027 marks our 20th Anniversary for our organization. We are planning a spectacular event that no one will want to miss! Please click on the button below and read all about the details. As the details un-fold we will keep everyone updated. It is going to be a spectacular event...
| | LETS STAY CONNECTED WITH OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS. | | LET'S MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE. LET'S SHARE OUR RESOURCES, WORK AS A TEAM, BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WE SERVE AND GIVE HOPE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW! | | |
ATTENTION COMMUNITY PARTNERS
If you would like to share your link in our monthly newsletters, please forward me the link and any other information about your organization. This will help keep everyone connected and current with our community resources.
Our website is a wonderful resource for our community partners so please take advantage of sharing your information to our readers. Knowledge is POWER and our community has so many resources. Let's SHARE! You are only a click away!
If you have upcoming events that you want to share with our readers, please feel free to let me know and we will let our readers know. If your website is already updated with your events, when they click on your link, all the news will be there. WE ARE HAPPY TO HELP
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MEET OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Please follow the links below to read about our Community Partners and all they are doing to make a difference in our community for the children, youth and families we advocate for 24/7.
Our community leaders are changing lives and giving children HOPE for a better tomorrow. It takes all of us to make it happen!
Children are our future...
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Kelly Santos
Community Engagement Advocate
Juvenile Welfare Board
We invest in partnerships, innovation, and advocacy to strengthen
Pinellas County children and families.
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Mission Statement: The mission of ALPHA House of Pinellas County is to prevent the cycle of homelessness and child abuse by providing a safe residence and supportive services to homeless pregnant women and babies.
| | Help Me Grow Florida (HMGF) helps empower families to address developmental concerns proactively, laying a strong foundation for their child's future success. Navigating childhood development can be overwhelming for any parent or caregiver. HMGF provides a compassionate and knowledgeable helping hand every step of the way. Whether a guardian has questions about their child's speech and language skills, motor development, or social-emotional wellbeing, the dedicated HMGF team is here to assist them. | | |
PAR's mission statement is, "To strengthen our communities by caring for families and individuals impacted by substance use and to promote mental well-being."
PAR's vision statement - "Operation PAR: A beacon of hope in our community - helping people...be aware, be responsible, be healthy and happy."
PAR"S Core Values - "Ethical Treatment - Customer Focused - Integrity, Empathy & Compassion - Fiscally Responsible - Recognition, Opportunity & Support - Continuous Improvement"
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Mission Statement:
To mobilize, support, and train men to model healthy masculinity in their homes, churches, and communities.
Vision Statement:
To break the cycle of generational fatherlessness
| | Mission Statement: It’s our privilege to support and guide birth parents and adoptive families on the journey of adoption. We’re a state licensed nonprofit adoption agency serving Florida and Tennessee. Our team of experts includes moms and adoptive moms, who provide compassion combined with trusted resources and skills. | | HER's mission statement is: "Her PLAN facilitates collaboration between assistance providers and their communities to empower women and families through comprehensive medical, social, and material support." | | |
MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE C.A.L.I. Project is to help young women aging out of the foster care system transitioning into adulthood with skills, confidence and provide them with resources they need to thrive in their communities.
Crystal Wharton, is the Executive Director of the C.A.L.I. Project. cwhartonhousing@gmail.com
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Pinellas | Pace Center for Girls
Pace Center for Girls
Find the Great in Every Girl
Where Academics Meet Girl-Centered Emotional and Behavioral Support
Pace Center for Girls is a nonprofit organization where middle and high school girls find the support, guidance, and resources they need to thrive. Our programs offer a full academic school day and comprehensive mental health support, tailored to meet the unique needs of each girl. Whether she's looking for a fresh start in school or additional social and emotional support, Pace provides a safe environment with the tools to help her succeed—both in school and in life.
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The dePaul School for Dyslexia is a specialized, independent school dedicated to the education of children in 1st-8th grades with dyslexia and related language-based learning difficulties, with the primary goal of enabling these students to achieve academic and personal success
Jessica Haugh
American Sign Language
The dePaul School for Dyslexia
Clearwater, FL 33759
727-796-7679
https://www.thedepaulschool.org/
https://www.facebook.com/thedepaulschool
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The Medical Foster Care Program is facilitated through the Florida Department of Health, providing foster children with medical conditions an opportunity to receive care within a family setting . The services we provide are in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. We provide support to foster parents who care for children with special needs.
Rukmini Potdar, PhD
Medical Foster Care Social Worker,
Division of Children's Medical Services
Florida Department of Health
Park Trammel Building
1313 North Tampa Street, Suite 809
Tampa, Fl. 33602
Cell Phone: (727) 408-3062
Fax: (727) 484-3854
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The mission of Crisis Connect is to provide those in personal crises with emotional support and practical living assistance.
David Yates
CEO/President
David Yates
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Their mission is to be an essential resource and advocate for the children within the foster care system who are marginalized and go overlooked. We strive to support their needs and give hope to a brighter future.
Founder/Executive Director: Sapheria Emani Samuels
The Packs of Love Foundation, Inc
Spread love, Give hope, Inspire the Heart
www.packsoflovefoundation.org
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Mission Statement: The mission of A Mothers Arms is to arrive to relieve a mother under stress by providing an environment that offers accommodations to assist parents with the care and support of their children while promoting various programs that will encourage empowerment for the entire family as a whole.
Contact: Chantala Davis
email address: spiritoffire0331@gmail.com
website www.amothersarms.org
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Christy Vogel runs a nonprofit called Sounding Joy that gives hearing aids to kids who need them, as most insurance won't cover them.
813-526-1870
Website: info@soundingjoy.org
email address: Christina Vogel cvogel@soundingjoy.org
Mission Statement: "Sounding Joy provides hearing aids to children whose families can’t afford them so they can reach their full potential. Hearing aids reduce the chance of a child becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, as well as reducing suicide attempts as a young adult. We partner with audiologists, corporate sponsors and donors to provide professionally fitted and programmed hearing aids to those who can’t get them. Sounding Joy, Inc., is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, so all donations are fully tax-deductible."
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SMALL BLESSING, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, INSPIRED LIVING
ABOUT: They are group homes in the Largo / Seminole area and we house at-risk foster youth. We are licensed for boys ages 5-17 years old. We work with a variety of differently-abled children. Some of our children require full assistance, some of our children are non-verbal, some of our children have behavioral challenges, and some of our children excel in school and do not have any disabilities. We work with a huge range of personalities and our caring mentors strive to provide enriching activities to help the children achieve life skills and reach their permanency goals.
MISSION STATEMENT: At Small Blessings Group Home our mission is to provide a safe, caring and therapeutic environment to help children, families and/or caregivers to acquire the skills and support they need to reach their goals of a successful and lasting reunification or adoption to a loving home"
Hazel Merihew
Group Home Manager
Small Blessings & Great Explorations
Kids Homes
(478) 955-1680
Hazel.ge@yahoo.com
“Sunflowers end up facing the sun, but they go through a lot of dirt to find their way there." - J. R. Rim
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Single & Pregnant
We can Help - EMBRACE GRACE
YOU Are Not Alone!
An unexpected pregnancy can be scary. It’s normal to feel lost and alone and even a little afraid. We know what that’s like - and we can help. You can have your baby and your dreams, too!
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Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy assesses each child to gauge their skills and devices tailor-made treatment plans to fit their needs and goals. Most importantly: it's based on what children do best...play!
Reach out and connect with a member of our Care Team today! Our Care Team guides families through every step of the process to ensure you're supported no matter what questions come up
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Mission Statement - Providing for the unmet physical, psychological, educational and social needs of abused, abandoned and neglected children in Pinellas and Pasco Counties
Contact: Amber Slusser
Email address: aslusser@suncoastvoices.org
| | The Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco – we work to find forever families for children in foster care through adoption. Because every child deserves a forever home. We generate awareness through community partners such as yours and our galleries. Our galleries consist of heart art and beautiful portraits of the children that are displayed throughout galleries in the community, on our website and on social media so potential adoptive parents can find them. | | |
With compassion and respect, St. Pete Free Clinic changes lives by providing health care, nutritious food, recovery housing, and education for our neighbors in need.
FRESH SPROUTS PROGRAM
FRESH Sprouts was developed with a focus on learning & exploration.
FRESH Sprouts meets families where they are, partnering with local preschools, reducing barriers, and providing weekly deliveries of fresh produce and interactive activities that make trying new foods fun and low-pressure. Children in food-insecure households are at a greater risk for developing cognitive impairments, delays in development, and poor behavioral health outcomes. FRESH Sprout’s weekly recipes are intentionally designed to include the key nutrients children need to learn and grow.
Fresh Sprouts served an average of 475 families per week, delivering 20,728 bags in fiscal year 2023. A contribution of $15,000 can support a pre-school for a year!
| | Mission Statement: NAMI Pinellas is dedicated to improving the mental health and quality of life of individuals and their families affected by mental illness through education, support, and advocacy. | | |
"The requirements for our recipients are below. If the family meets all the requirements to receive beds from our program, please complete the application (linked below) on behalf of the family. The beds we provide are standard twin size beds complete with a new mattress and bedding and we have bed deliveries every other Saturday morning.
1. The family must live in Pinellas County. It can be anywhere from Tarpon Springs to South St. Petersburg, but we do only deliver to Pinellas County.
2. The beds are for the children, so we cap the age at 18. We will deliver beds to those children in need age 18 or under.
3. We do not want to have a cycle of an ongoing problem, so we ask that issues such as bed bugs, or any other infestation, be treated and taken care of prior to us providing a bed.
4. It is not a "better bed" program. The program is designed to truly provide beds for those children who do not have a bed of their own to sleep in. We feel this is important for children to wake rested in the morning, and be ready for their day and school.
The link to the online application is below. Please keep in mind, the application should be filled out by the case worker only, and NOT sent to the parent to fill out. We rely on you, the direct contact with the family, to know the family, and know the need. Once the application is filled out, one of our volunteers will contact the family directly to schedule a time for delivery of the beds. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Melanie Benner
Missions Coordinator | BridgePoint Church
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Our Commitment to Tampa Bay
Our Mission
Champions for Children’s mission is to build stronger families with thriving children throughout Tampa Bay through our child abuse prevention and family education programs
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Gloria Lawson, thank you for all you do to make a difference in the lives of the children in our community. Your commitment to these children is a blessing, and the lives you have changed never goes unnoticed.
Thank you for your leadership.
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Leah Veal, Ed.S
Executive Director
BLI Learning Labs, Inc.
Leah Veal
727.281.6564
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Connie Going
Executive Director and Owner
Going Adoption and Surrogacy, LLC
2335 22nd Ave S. Suite 6
St. Petersburg, Fla.33712
727-331-3902
727-501-2646
Licensed Child placing Agency Florida #100268007
At Going Adoption and Surrogacy, our professionals represent more than 70 combined years in adoptions, child welfare, and surrogacy services. We have extensive advocacy experience from local court systems all of the way to Capitol Hill. We are available to consult on an individual basis and encourage you to reach out with any situation you feel we may be able to help you with. We can contract with you if appropriate on your specific situation.
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Through an international network of Affiliates, I Support the Girls collects and distributes essential items, including bras, underwear, and menstrual hygiene products, allowing women and folx experiencing homelessness, impoverishment, or distress to stand tall with dignity.
I Support the Girls, EIN 81-2163243
Nancy Blount
Affiliate Director
I Support the Girls - Tampa Bay
727-510-2263
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Mission Statement: Thrive Family Support is committed to closing the wide gap between a family's first concerns about their child and when they first access quality support. We work to break down the financial and cultural boundaries that prevent families from accessing care from qualified professionals through our online courses and workshops so that every family can gain the knowledge and skills to help their child thrive
Julia Strauss
thrivefsinfo@gmail.com
| | A BIG THANK YOU from Directions for Living to the Pineapple Project Team for taking this family under their wings and making this house a home! This family's life has been changed forever! | | |
The Pineapple Projects Mission
Our goal at The Pineapple Projects is to extend a hand to people in our community that are starting over and need help by turning their house into a home. Using gently used donated home furnishings and thoughtful interior design, we transform their empty homes into spaces they can take pride in. We provide essential furnishings for their family. e in second chances, kindness, and community.
So ... what’s up with the name? We get asked that a lot! A pineapple expresses “welcome” and symbolizes friendship, hospitality, and warmth. We hope to bring these feelings to each project we do!
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ASHLEY CORNETET FOUNDER & CEO The Pineapple Projects
Ashley is originally from Louisville, KY. She has been married for over 20 years to Mike. They moved to Florida almost 6 years ago. They have two children Max and Ava and two fur babies that complete their home. Ashley has a background as a realtor and a home stager. She has always had a passion for helping others.
The Pineapple Projects came to be when she saw a post during Covid about a family who had lost their serving jobs and had sold all their home essentials to pay their bills. She knew she could help and reached out to friends and the community for help! Within 10 days their home was transformed. In two years The Pineapple Projects has helped 43 families and just over 200 people!
HISTORY OF THE PINEAPPLE PROJECTS
The Pineapple Projects Mission is to help those in need of home essentials. We transform houses into homes for our Pinellas County neighbors who are starting over and need a helping hand. We spread love and joy by creating beautiful spaces that feel like home - home that provides a restful environment to support each family's fresh new start. We are designing change! One family at a time.
Happiness is loving what you do and where you live-
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OUR OPPORTUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM IS A HUGE SUCCESS.
The Angels are putting smiles on the faces of children in our community with our partnership with Hero to a Child for the Opportunity Outreach Program. As these requests for the little things that make a difference in a child's life come in, we fill them immediately with the hope that we are making a difference in this child's life. This outreach program allows these children an outlet to build friendships, social skills and feel like any other normal child which will change their lives and give them HOPE for a better tomorrow.
Every month the Angels receive an update of how we have impacted children by providing them with activities of their choice. It is very exciting for us to hear that we are a part of helping them grow socially and be like any other children. Anything we can do to help them cope with some of the challenges they face daily puts a smile on our faces. The Angels are so happy to put a smile on these faces and give them HOPE for a better tomorrow. Thank you Erin for sharing your monthly updates and thank you for representing your agency at our monthly meetings.
| | The Angels partnered with Directions for Living approximately ten years and we have seen first-hand the impact they have had in our community. April Lott serves as the President & CEO of the local nonprofit Directions for Living and has for nearly 15 years. Her impact goes well beyond the work she does in that role. She is an incredible force for good. She is a fierce advocate for children, a relentless giver of altruistic time and talent and energy, and a true leader in the field of social services. The Angels are so proud of the accomplishments that have been made at Campbell Park Elementary School and Kings Highway School with the BabyCat initiative. It is a huge success and on its way to becoming a model for pre-k/elementary schools in the State of Florida. Congratulations April and your DFL Team! | | Angels Against Abuse will be partnering with Family Support Services Suncoast to maximize the use of our Angel Center in the coming days. It is our hope that this partnership will help to expedite the reunification process and get children back with their biological parents. We look forward to assisting FSS Suncoast with visitations at our beautiful Angel Center and be a part of watching families become healthy. We would like to welcome our growing staff to assist with the visitations at the Center. Felicia O'Malley and Carol Curtis. Welcome ladies! We are proud to have you a part of our team. Ashley Tominus will be overseeing our new team who everyone is familiar with. She has been the Supervisor of the Angel Center since we opened our doors 4 years ago and does an amazing job! | | The Angels have been partners with Healthy Start PAT Program for approximately six years providing infant needs and adopting families through our Christmas Giving Program. We have been a part of the impact that this organization has on the new moms and their babies over the years we have been a part of this program. Thank you to the staff and leaders of Healthy Start for all you do to give these little babies a healthy start. | |
Schenelle Conway| Family and Community Engagement Specialist
Head Start Mission
To educate, equip, and empower children, families and staff through partnerships
and efficient data driven systems to close the achievement gap.
Head Start Vision
Ready for School, Prepared for Life.
Lutheran Services Florida
Helping people build healthier, happier, and hope-filled tomorrows
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2026
ANGEL MEETINGS
Tuesday, October 13th 2026
Angel Monthly Meeting
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Bridgepoint Church
6690 Crosswinds Drive North
St Peterburg, Fl
Tuesday, November 10th 2026
Angel Monthly Meeting
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Bridgepoint Church
6690 Crosswinds Drive North
St Peterburg, Fl
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2026/2027
Saturday, October 10th, 2026
Angel Fashion Show
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
St Pete Yacht Club
11 Central Avenue
St Petersburg, FL
Wednesday, December 16th, 2026
Christmas Givig Celebration
8:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Bridgepoint Church
6690 Crosswinds Drive North
St Peterburg, Fl
2027
Saturday, April 17th Gala
20th Year Anniversary Extravaganza
6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
St Pete Yacht Club
11 Central Avenue
St Petersburg, FL
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Angels Against Abuse Gives HOPE,
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow….
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WE NEED YOUR VOTE TO STAY ON TOP.
THANK YOU ANGELS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WRITE A REVIEW!
THIS IS SO IMPORTANT SO PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND LET EVERYONE KNOW HOW WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
YOUR WORDS SPEAK VOLUMES IN THE COMMUNITY!
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PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
We are looking for volunteers for all of our upcoming events. Please contact Sandy Kearney by clicking on the above link and let us know which of our upcoming events you are available to help volunteer. Please remember that all of these events benefit the Angels and your support will make a difference. Thank you for your support!
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