KidSide helps children from low-income families, who are in crisis due to high-conflict Family Court cases, receive critical protection, advocacy, and the chance to heal.
By providing essential funding to Family Court Services we allow them to deliver critical assistance, counseling and other resources that bridge gaps in the system to protect children involved in antagonistic cases like high conflict divorce, and domestic abuse. Without these services, many kids from low-income families would fall through cracks in the underfunded judicial system causing profound consequences in their lives and communities.
June is National Reunification Month
Erika Ruiz, M.S., RMHI
Family Court Services Manager, Family Division
June is National Reunification Month
We want to thank the staff at Family Court Services and recognize their efforts in helping families stay together. “Reunification is such a beautiful part of what we do here at FCS. It gives parents an a second chance. Although our office doesn’t deal with cases involving children in foster care or with foster parents, we are still heavily dealing with cases where another family member may be taking care of the children (i.e. grandparents, aunts, and uncles)” says Erika Ruiz, the Manager of Family Court Services. In 2019, Family Court Services assisted more than 300 families with reunification.
In recent months, Family Court Services transitioned their highly respected supervised visitation program from in-person to video conferencing via Zoom so that parents can continue seeing their children. A Parent Handbook was even created to assist parents with a step-by-step process on what to expect with virtual visitation.
Janet, 34 years old, said “I have struggled with addiction and unhappiness on and off for years now. Things got worse after I had my two daughters and the Court removed my time with them. This was the worst day of my life. A few weeks later, I was laid off due to budget cuts so things became even more stressful since I did not have enough money for any services the Court ordered me to do. After almost a year, I got sober and was grateful to be referred to Family Court Services where the services I needed were at no cost. I started supervised visitation and was finally able to start seeing my two girls on a weekly basis. The staff truly made the experience so much easier for me and my girls from day 1. The way they showed their compassion and genuine interest in helping me and my family is something I’ll remember forever”.
Message from the President
Aileen Fernandez-Mesa, Esq.
Orshan, Spann and Fernandez-Mesa
I am honored to serve as President of KidSide during its 20 th Anniversary. This year brings many challenges to the families within our community. The emotional and economic impact caused by this pandemic can be correlated to the increase in substance abuse, domestic abuse, disputes and other family turmoil. It is through these times of adversity that high-conflict families most rely on KidSide (and Family Court Services) to obtain resources not otherwise available to them and we want to be prepared for this commitment. As such, I thank our longtime KidSide supporters for their dedication to these families and I personally request that you continue to carry forth our mission to advocate for the services that they so clearly need.Through the work of KidSide’s devoted past and current board members, board advisors, judicial advisors, staff and longtime donors, my hope for this year is to bring our organization to the forefront of local philanthropy so that children and families may continue to benefit from the intervention provided by Family Court Services for many years to come.
– Aileen Fernandez-Mesa, Esq.
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 DanaCahn@faces.family.
New KidSide Website, Branding and Tagline
It is with great enthusiasm we announce KidSide’s new branding. Although the overall function and mission of KidSide remains the same, our 20 year anniversary unveils a completely revamped modern and minimalistic look and feel consistent with our goals and mission. Our former tagline, “The Missing ‘Peace’ of the Family Puzzle” has been replaced with “Taking the kid’s side in Family Court cases. ” We invite you to visit the new KidSide website, here.
Make a one-time donation below to support the work of Family Court Services by donating to KidSide.
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: marian@kidsidemiami.org
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.