The Kiwanis Club Supports a K9 Unit

A child welfare organization, Hope Children’s Home (hopechildrenshome.org) provides housing and education to kids in need of rescue. Hope Children’s Home is affiliated with professional organizations such as the Florida Association of Christian Child Caring Agencies, and other nonprofits, like Kiwanis International, a global community that aims to improve the lives of kids.

The Kiwanis Club of Martin County, in Florida, recently implemented a fund-raising initiative for the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. This initiative was inspired by the death of Cigo, a police dog, who was shot and killed in December 2019 while chasing a suspect. The passing of the dog deeply affected students in the club’s youth-sponsored programs, so the club reached out to the Sheriff’s Office about donating bullet-proof vests for its police dogs, or K9s, and raising money for the canine unit.

Officer Ryan Pearlman informed the club that the dogs had bullet-proof vests already. What the unit actually needed were donations to buy K9 training equipment, like muzzles, bite suits, special leashes, and harnesses.

The Kiwanis Club of Martin County took swift action and began contacting clubs at the schools that it works with, including Key Clubs and K-Kids Clubs, as well as the Builders Club at Stuart Middle School. After watching a demonstration of the K9 unit, the clubs began raising money for the necessary donations via such projects as bake sales and the sale of Support the Canines pins.

Due to these efforts, the Canine Unit received $2,000 in donations for training supplies before the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a halt. The Florida Kiwanis Foundation also gave the Kiwanis Club of Martin County two grants to further support its work.

Humility & Admitting Mistakes As Parent

Hope Children’s Home (hopechildrenshome.org) is a Tampa, Florida-based nonprofit organization that has provided board and care for children in need for over a half-century. In the article “8 Ways to Win Your Child’s Heart,” Hope Children’s Home executive director Dr. Mike Higgins draws on his three decades of experience in ministering to teens and children and serving as a licensed counselor.

One of the primary points he stresses is that respecting and honoring children is essential. This involves giving sensible praise when they have earned it. At the same time, parents should place themselves at the child’s level and try to understand their perspective.

If you are a parent, it’s important to realize that there is not always a definite right or wrong for every situation. What often wins over a difficult or unruly child is the sense that you are truly listening, even if your opinions differ.

In addition, it’s important to understand that there is no perfect being and that parents make mistakes, too, more frequently than we would like to admit. When you have lost your temper or said something that you later regretted, the best tactic is to face your child and admit that you were in the wrong. Refrain from the tendency to employ words that shift or lessen the blame, such as “if” and “but.” Not only will this humble approach win your child’s heart, but it will set a positive example of taking responsibility for your actions.

 

Humility & Admitting Mistakes As a Parent

Hope Children’s Home (hopechildrenshome.org) is a Tampa, Florida-based nonprofit organization that has provided board and care for children in need for over a half-century. In the article “8 Ways to Win Your Child’s Heart,” Hope Children’s Home executive director Dr. Mike Higgins draws on his three decades of experience in ministering to teens and children and serving as a licensed counselor.

One of the primary points he stresses is that respecting and honoring children is essential. This involves giving sensible praise when they have earned it. At the same time, parents should place themselves at the child’s level and try to understand their perspective.

If you are a parent, it’s important to realize that there is not always a definite right or wrong for every situation. What often wins over a difficult or unruly child is the sense that you are truly listening, even if your opinions differ.

In addition, it’s important to understand that there is no perfect being and that parents make mistakes, too, more frequently than we would like to admit. When you have lost your temper or said something that you later regretted, the best tactic is to face your child and admit that you were in the wrong. Refrain from the tendency to employ words that shift or lessen the blame, such as “if” and “but.” Not only will this humble approach win your child’s heart, but it will set a positive example of taking responsibility for your actions.

 

Hope Children’s Home in New Mexico

Offering care and shelter to needy children in the Tampa, Florida, area, Hope Children’s Home (www.hopechildrenshome.org) is a Christ-centered child welfare organization. In addition to its Florida location, Hope Children’s Home has grown over the years to encompass campuses in Honduras and New Mexico.

Launched in 2018, the New Mexico home in Clovis encompasses 17 acres and has completed Phase One of its expansion plans. Equipped to care for as many as 16 children, the organization hopes to accommodate more than 60 children after all phases of its renovation and construction activities are complete.

The New Mexico home thrives on the support of volunteers and community members who are united in caring and faith. The specific daily needs of the campus can be accessed by visiting HopeChildrensHome.org. They include basic food items such as fruits and vegetables, canned goods, and lunch meats, as well as cleaning supplies. Hope Children's Home relies on the generosity and support of others. 

Speaking & Listening to What Children Say

Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Hope Children’s Home provides a positive Christian atmosphere to children facing challenging life situations. Hope Children’s Home is overseen by Dr. Mike Higgins, the executive director and a longtime licensed counselor..

In a February 2021 article published on HopeChildrensHome.org, Dr. Higgins emphasizes the importance of showing honor and respect toward young people in one’s charge. This is reflected in forms of expression that are peaceable, gentle, and imbued with mercy.

This fair and balanced approach is detailed in the book of James in the Bible, which includes examples of how to speak wisely and persuasively to not only adults, but to people of all ages. One way to utilize this message is to subject your conversations to the “James” test, particularly when emotions run high and tempers flare.

Another aspect of this is embodied in James 1:19: “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.” The application of this aphorism entails making the effort to listen to your children when they converse with you. Take time to ask the right questions about what is unclear and allow them to express their feelings, even if your instinct is that they may be misguided. Only by fully understanding your children’s thoughts can you be a positive force in their lives.