Kidside Newsletter October 2020
Without your support, KidSide would not exist.
We help children from low-income families who are in crisis due to high-conflict Family Court cases, receive critical protection, advocacy, and the opportunity to heal.
How KidSide Helps
Family Court Services
Here at KidSide, we’re doing everything possible to help Family Court Services sustain daily operations and provide services to our community.
There’s nothing better than observing a group of professionals feel so passionate about one subject, kids.
The video below was showcased at our Judicial Reception last week.
We are grateful to Carla Hernandez for creating this video for us. As you will see, this is why our community needs us and why we need you to help.
Please continue to support KidSide.
Message from the Judiciary
KidSide is an amazing organization comprised of volunteers who want to make the world a better place for children whose parents are involved in court cases involving domestic violence and/or high conflict divorces. These children are exposed to constant stress, violence, trauma, and strife. Family Court Services offers a safe place and provides a safety net for them.
For children exposed to domestic violence, they are at great risk, without intervention, to suffer a myriad of physical, psychological, social, emotional and other life-long problems. The stress levels that children exposed to domestic violence experience is at the same level of those of children living in a combat zone. These children are always psychologically and emotionally abused and often physically abused as well.
For domestic violence cases, Family Court Services provides counseling, supervised visitation, supervised exchange and other resources to children from low-income families. For supervised visitation and supervised exchange, Family Court Services provides direct observation and feedback to judges, so that judges can ensure that both victims and their children are not manipulated or abused and can begin to heal.
We know that with proper intervention, counseling (and support to the non-offending parent), children exposed to domestic violence are able to heal, and in many cases flourish. Without KidSide, there would be no Family Court Services. Without Family Court Services, there would be no help for these children.
Honorable Carroll J. Kelly
Administrative Judge
Domestic Violence Division
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2020 KidSide Virtual Judicial Reception a tremendous success!
This year’s Judicial Reception raised over $8,000 for Family Court Services, surpassing receptions from years past.
Thanks to our volunteer (and Bailiff), Alvaro Ayala, who was absolutely masterful in orchestrating the breakout rooms and main meeting.
Thank you to co-chairs, Andrea Levy Steinacker and Max Leinoff, for several months of diligent preparations to ensure a successful reception.
Recognize anyone?
Congratulations to the following
“Who’s the Judge?”
Judicial Reception Winners:
Commit your pledge on behalf of KidSide for Give Miami Day 2020.
This year, you will have four days on which you may pledge your support to KidSide and Family Court Services.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, KidSide needs your support to continue its mission to the children of high conflict divorce in Family Court Services.
Please remember KidSide in your giving on Give Miami Day, November 19, 2020.
You can open the KidSide Give Miami Day Pledge form here.
If you’d like to be a Give Miami Day Champion for KidSide, please reach out to Marian Ortega at [email protected] for additional details.
With the support of The Miami Foundation, the Office of the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, and the Miami-Dade County Department of Public Housing and Community Development, KidSide is pleased to announce we are the recipient of a $30,000 grant.
Thank you to our Treasurer, Patricia Young, of Appelrouth, Farah and Co. for having diligently applied for this grant on behalf of KidSide.
As with all monies donated to KidSide, 100% of these funds will continue to be used towards the valuable work of Family Court Services, “Taking the Kid’s side in Family Court cases.”
Thank you to The Miami Foundation and Miami-Dade County for this grant.
Become a KidSide Best Friend Today!
You can make a difference!
Join the KidSide Best Friends Leadership Campaign.
During this time of COVID-19, in person fundraising is not possible but the children served by Family Court Services are greatly impacted and need our help. We must do our best to ensure they do not sustain long term emotional harm.
By becoming a member of the KidSide Best Friends Leadership Campaign with a monthly sustaining gift, it allows Family Court Services to anticipate the on-going level of support they can provide children in need. We need your support now more than ever so Family Court Services may continue to meet the needs of our community.
For more information and/or to join our Best Friends Leadership Campaign committee please contact Dana Cahn at [email protected].
Thank You to our KidSide Partners
Will you be next?
For more information, please reach out to Aileen Fernandez Mesa, President of KidSide at [email protected]
Do you have a birthday coming up?
Select KidSide, Inc., on Facebook for your birthday fundraiser!
Or you may make a contribution payable to
KidSide, Inc. and mail to:
KidSide, Inc.
14261 SW 120 Street #103-552
Miami, FL 33186
Telephone: (305) 908.1126
Email: [email protected]
Make a one-time donation below to support the work of Family Court Services by donating to KidSide.
All proceeds will benefit KidSide, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that supports Family Court Services in its mission to provide services for those children most victimized by family conflicts.
KidSide, Inc. is registered to solicit contributions with the State of Florida. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling (800) 435-7352. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State.