Displaying items by tag: programs

While the abuse of illicit and prescription drugs endangers lives and families in cities across America, there are those who are striking back at the heart of this problem. For three days, September 25th – 27th, more than seventy volunteers organized by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World hit the streets throughout the Tampa Bay area, reaching Clearwater Beach, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Ybor City and Ocala with anti-drug educational brochures. The booklets they handed out, called The Truth About Drugs, educate young and old alike on the dangers and addictiveness of both illegal and over-the-counter drugs.

Since 1996, The Tampa Bay Academy of Hope has provided at risk youth in Hillsborough County with exactly what is promised in their name: hope. On Saturday, June 27th, the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope will be holding their 13th annual “Faces of Hope” black tie awards banquet.

The evening’s keynote speaker will be Michelle A. Robinson, the President of Verizon’s Southeast Region, and entertainment will be provided by the Empyreal Chinese Acrobats.  An awards ceremony will be hosted by local television personalities Kathy Fountain and Frank Robertson from FOX 13. Awards will be presented in honor of the involvement of local individuals and companies that are making a difference in the lives of Tampa Bay’s youth through contributions, civic efforts, or direct involvement in their communities.

All proceeds from the Faces of Hope event will benefit the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope’s “Leadership Through Education” program, which helps “defeat illiteracy among disadvantaged and at-risk students.”

The Tampa Bay Academy of Hope was founded by former football player James Evans. Through his leadership and dedication, thousands of at risk youth and their families have been changed for the better. The Academy “offers counseling to inner city youth to put them on the path to become productive citizens.” Governor Charlie Crist says of the organization,  “With the help of…organizations like Tampa Bay Academy of Hope, together we can provide a better future for our children.”

The event will take place at A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa. Tickets are available for $100 per seat, or $1,000 per table. The reception will begin at 5pm, and be followed by a dinner at 7:30. For more information on the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope and the banquet, or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.tampahope.com/ or call 813-277-0464.

St. Petersburg, Florida - Jennifer Silva, Executive Director of Clothes To Kids, announced today that the organization has selected a location for its new St. Petersburg store. Clothes To Kids (CTK), whose mission is to provide new and quality used clothing to low income, school-age children in Pinellas County free of charge, has been operating for nearly six years out of a single location in Clearwater.  The addition of the second store will allow CTK to better fulfill its mission by making its services more accessible to the more than 25,000 eligible children who live south of Ulmerton Road. The new CTK store, slated to open in August of this year, is located in the Cornerstone Center at 3251 Third Avenue North, Suite 145 South, in St. Petersburg.