Friends of Children

Friends of Children formed in 1999 as the LexLinc Family Safety Task Force. In 2002, it merged with the Community Collaboration for Children, which secured funding for the group's activities. The merged group changed its name to Friends of Children. The task force meets on the first Wednesday of each month in the afternoon. Friends of Children is charged with creating a community-wide agenda focused on the safety and permanence of families and children in Fayette County. The task force is a forum to integrate services, educate service providers and modify policies and procedures so that public and private organizations can work together better. This group is particularly interested in using the Comprehensive Family Services model to build community collaboration, such as implementation of Family-to-Family and the creation of the 40505 zip code initiative in partnership with the Community Partnership for Protecting Children.

Friends of Children (Community Collaboration for Children) responded to network changes that regional restructuring in the Dept. for Community Based Services brought. It explored better interface with the larger multi-county region of which Fayette is now a part. While joining the new bimonthly regional meetings, Friends of Children continued monthly meetings as a Fayette partnership. The group addressed the challenge faced by childcare centers with the state payment system and drafted an advocacy letter to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services relaying the urgency of resolving the backlog of payments to childcare centers. FOC advocated for legislation (such as the Bonnie Bill and Blue Ribbon Panel recommendations) and awarded and monitored FOC mini-grants.

Prevent Child Abuse Month

Friends of Children assist the Department for Community Based Services with advocacy and program support in child protection. A signature event for Friends of Children is the annual Prevent Child Abuse month that takes place in April. In 2007, Prevent Child Abuse Month included a candle light vigil at the courthouse attended by approximately 75 people; a resource fair at Martha’s Place with 30 service providers; and an appreciation breakfast for 350 people at the Crowne Plaza where six Friends of Children were awarded for their efforts to protect children. LEX-18 was the media sponsor, with Amanda Lemond, producer from LEX-18, as the keynote speaker for the appreciation breakfast. LexLinc organized these events, including coordination among event chairs, raising sponsorships, organizing supplies, equipment, media invitations, contracts and programs.

2008 Activities:

April 7th: Candle Light Vigil at the Court House Plaza on Main & Limestone Streets -6:00 p.m.
A twilight event on the courthouse lawn that serves as a memorial for children from Fayette County who died in the last year from abuse or neglect. The event also brings attention to the ongoing issue of abuse and neglect. As a partnership with Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA swears in new volunteers as part of the vigil.

April 17th: Resource Fair, time and location to be announced
Fifty to 70 organizations, including health and human service agencies, schools, police, churches and the public library, share information and make their resources more accessible to families from the general community and families targeted to attend this event. Food and door prizes also help attract several hundred people.
For more information, please contact Judy Warner at 494-7190 or javwarner@insightbb.com

April 19th: 5K Friends of Children Run at Coldstream Park -9:00 a.m.
A Saturday morning run/walk to raise awareness. Funds raised though sponsorships, donations and registration fees go towards Thursday's Child and summer camp for at-risk children. Click here for a registration form.

April 30th: Friends of Children Appreciation Breakfast at the Crowne Plaza -8:30 a.m.
Attended by approximately 350 people last year. The event is an opportunity for our children to thank the adult volunteers and professionals who keep them safe. For those who attend, it is a highlight of the year. To reserve your free spot, please call 381-1302 or email us.