Agenda 12/14/2021 Item # 5A (Business of the Month - December 2021)5.A
12/14/2021
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 5.A
Item Summary: Presentation of the Collier County Business of the Month for December 2021 to
the Guardian ad Litem Foundation - 20th Judicial Circuit. The award will be accepted by Jessica
Stanfield, Executive Director and Bruce Greenberg, Board Chairman. Also present is Bethany Sawyer,
Vice President of Membership, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.
Meeting Date: 12/14/2021
Prepared by:
Title: Customer Service Specialist — Communications, Government, and Public Affairs
Name: Aimee Trochessett
11/29/2021 9:19 AM
Submitted by:
Title: — County Manager's Office
Name: John Mullins
11/29/2021 9:19 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Communications, Government, and Public Affairs
Agenda Clerk Preview Michael Cox
County Manager's Office John Mullins
County Manager's Office John Mullins
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig
Deborah Curry Division Review Completed
Agenda Clerk Preview Completed 11/29/2021 12:49 PM
Division Review Completed 12/01/2021 8:38 AM
County Manager Review Completed 12/01/2021 8:39 AM
Meeting Pending 12/14/2021 9:00 AM
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5.A.1
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Each month, the Greater Naples Chamber and the Board of Collier
•�V• GREATER
� N A P L E s County Commissioners recognize an organization that has enhanced
_ the community through financial, volunteer and active involvement
C H A M B E R in organizations and programs that assist in creating a better quality
of life for all citizens in Collier County.
The honoree is presented with a commemorative plaque at the Board of County Commissioners meeting.
A photo and news release is distributed to all Southwest Florida Media and Chamber Members, as well as
featured in Chamber communications, the Chamber's website and promoted through social media.
Please email the completed nomination form below to Bethany Sawyer at Bethany@napleschamber.org
Business Name: I Guardian ad Litem Foundation - 20th Judicial Circuit, Inc.
Owner/Executive Name: IJessica Stanfield
Email: jstanfield@galfoundation20.org
Phone: (239) 533-1435 # of Employees: 11 (Foundation)
Year Founded: 11983
Business Description (50 words or less):
The Guardian ad Litem Foundation - 20th Judicial Circuit, Inc. works tirelessly to ensure that every
abused, neglected and abandoned child in SW Florida has a Guardian ad Litem volunteer (GAL)
advocate to monitor the situation and speak on their behalf, and that every GAL volunteer has
access to financial assistance and resources available for meeting the child's health, educational
and social needs (not provided by any other source).
1.23.20 BusinessoftheMonthForm
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5.A.1
Tell us your story, how has your organization or company given back to the community?
Provide an example.
As victims of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment, hundreds of children each and every year find themselves in the dependency court system.
Once a child has been removed from his or her home, very often, circumstances change regularly with no guaranteed consistency. These constant changes create a
great deal of stress and uncertainty. Many of these children are left without personal belongings as they are given a brief amount of time to "pack" before being
removed from their home. It is these situations that leave these children feeling lost, alone, hurt and hopeless.
The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, Inc. works tirelessly to raise funds necessary to help protect these children and provide items and
experiences the children need that are not funded by any other source. This can include a safe and comfortable bed, clothing, tutoring, lessons (dance, art, etc.) and
associated fees, sports participation, infant items, happier birthday celebrations, camp fees, club participation and field trips, and other requests determined over the life
of the case.
Over 2,500 vulnerable children in Southwest Florida desperately need a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Advocate to represent them. These children need access to safe
beds, clean clothing, and countless other items and experience they otherwise could not access.
Recently, a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Advocate, Sally (name changed for privacy), submitted a Children's Needs Request for a Happier Birthday gift card for the
child she is serving, who was about to turn 7. Jimmy (name changed to protect privacy) and his Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Advocate had plans to share a special
birthday lunch complete with a birthday cake at the end thanks to funding through the Foundation's Children's Needs Program.
As they finished their meal, Sally asked Jimmy if he wanted his birthday cake. After a resounding yes was received, she started to place 7 blue and red candles in the
top of the cake. Jimmy looked at her a bit puzzled while she completed the task. She then grabbed matches out of her purse and struck it against the match box. As
she lit the candles, Jimmy started yelling, begging her to stop ruining the cake. She reassured him that these were his birthday candles and that she would light them so
that she could sing him happy birthday and he could blow them out to make a wish that he wants to come true, like she was sure he had done for friends before.
Before Sally was appointed to Jimmy's case, he had never attended formalized school, and shared that he "didn't have many friends." As Sally put two and two
together, she realized Jimmy had never blown out birthday candles — he had never been celebrated. She went on to sing, have Jimmy blow out the candles and make a
wish. What was his desire? To have a family who loves him and to always be able to celebrate his birthday. We are proud to be able to give back to the children we
serve and our community at large with these impactful interactions.
What makes your company a great place to work?
Describe your culture and accomplishments.
The Guardian ad Litem "family tree" has many branches all working together to serve vulnerable
children in our community. Through the work and coordination of the Guardian ad Litem Program,
Guardian ad Litem Foundation, Board of Directors and volunteers, a network of support and
encouragement is made around the children who need us most.
All of us are committed to our cause, and continue to show up in all ways possible for the children
we represent. We all have the "heart for the job," making us a large group of supportive and
encouraging colleagues. The nature of our work isn't always easy, making the culture we work in
vital to our success. All members of our team are encouraged to prioritize their self -care, and are
cognizant of times when a colleague is doing so. We succeed together, learn from each other, and
celebrate each other, personally and professionally, whenever possible. Many members of our
team have multiple years of service with our organization, showing just how fantastic a career with
us is.
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