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Dear friends,
I am thrilled to accept the position of Board President for Voices for
Kids of Southwest Florida. Voices for Kid's is the non profit partner for
the Guardian ad Litem program. Voices for Kids' mission is to ensure that
every abused and neglected child has a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem
volunteer and that each of these children has the financial assistance and
other resources for their accompanying health, education and social needs.
A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a unique concept in the juvenile court
system. A GAL is a trained and certified community volunteer appointed by
the judge to speak up for an abused or neglected child in court. A GAL
works alongside attorneys and social workers as an appointed officer of the
court. The GAL acts as the vital information link between the court and the
child, making independent, objective recommendations regarding the child's
best interests.
GAL volunteers are ordinary people who care about kids. The volunteers
come from all backgrounds. Many work full time. Some are students or
retired people who are ready to "give back" to their community. Most GAL
volunteers work on one case at time.
GAL volunteers receive in-depth training on the court process, child
development, abuse and neglect, cultural differences, advocacy,
interviewing techniques and social service education.
GAL volunteers are guided by case coordinators within the program with
whom they can discuss cases, help problem solve and receive legal support
from program attorneys.
During my term as President, I am committed to ensure that 100% of the
children in the dependency program in our 20th Judicial Circuit which
represents Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties have a
Guardian ad Litem volunteer. How else will we know if a child needs a bed,
clothes, medical attention if they don't have a GAL?
Will you help us achieve our Voices for Kids mission by volunteering to
become a Guardian ad Litem or with a personal donation for these forgotten
children?
Please call us at....239-997-5437
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Meet the Board
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Executive Committee
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Karen Gudknecht
President
Senior Vice President & Financial Advisor, Key Private Bank
Karen is a Senior Vice-President and Financial Advisor for Key Private
Bank. She also belongs to the Estate Planning Council of Naples, Conservancy
of SW Florida, the Naples Players, the Naples Opera Society and the Humane
Society of Naples. Originally from Faribault , Minnesota , Karen enjoys baseball, singing, golf, boating, and the beach.
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Shara Weaver
Immediate Past President
President, Aspen Valley Landscape Supply
Shara is the owner of Aspen Valley Landscape Supply in the Chicagoland
area. Originally from Shelbyville, Indiana, Shara is on the Local Advocacy
Council and a member of the State GAL Association who in 2007 named her
Community Advocate of the Year for the state of Florida. Shara and her
husband, John have three children (two of whom are marrying this year!)
John, Jr., Cory and Jamie.
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Brian Itzkowitz
Vice President
Vice President, Goodwill Retail Operations
Brian has been with the Goodwill organization for nine years. Currently,
he is Vice President of Retail Operations for Goodwill Industries of
Southwest Florida and is responsible for 22 Retail & Donation Centers , the
ADC ’s (Attended Donation Centers), Transportation, Auto Donations and
Sales, Operations, Real Estate, and Facilities Management. He has over 20
years of experience in retail management. His bachelor's degree is in
International Finance and Marketing from the University of Miami . Brian and
his wife Dawn have two young children. Brian enjoys any activity that is
with his family, including coaching soccer and basketball, and trips to
Disney.
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Acie Forrer
Treasurer
Senior Vice President, Liberty Bank
A graduate of University of South Florida and with a Masters from Troy State, Acie is a Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Manager for Liberty
Bank. He is married to Jennifer and has 2 girls Chelsea, 10 and Morgan 5.
Acie's outside interests include fishing, golf, and travel.
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Monica Robb
Secretary
Industry Editor, Retired
Retired magazine editor, designer and writer from Minneapolis , MN , I
enjoy using my computer writing and layout talents to volunteer for non
profits. Served for many years on the board of SAVE, Suicide Awareness
Voices of Education lobbying for more mental health education. Hobbies
include fishing, tennis and travel. Live in Ft. Myers with my husband,
Bruce, and our animals; Bullet the lab, Charles the bird, and the fish. We
have two children, Kelly and Kevin, young adults exploring the world!
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Directors
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Judith Dolkas
Retired
Judith retired to Naples from Northern California three years ago. She is
a member of the Board of Directors of Paul Todd Charities, a volunteer with
the Naples Center for Abused Women and Children and an after school tutor at
the Little School in Bonita Springs. In California, Judith was one of the
original founders of the Palo Alto Community Association for the Mentally
Challenged, a volunteer with Sacred Heart Community Services, the San Jose Womens shelter and St. Anthony of Padua Outreach. She has participated in
the El Camino Hospital Chaplins Services and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Judith enjoys tennis, walking, reading and the theatre.
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JoAnne Holt
President
Stand By Housing
JoAnne Holt is a CPA who has practiced in Fort Myers for over 25 years.
She is actively involved with the family court system as an expert witness
and family mediator helping to resolve financial conflict and settle
equitable distribution issues. Her newest business enterprise is
StandByHousing.com
wherein families in transition due to divorce or separation can find
temporary housing to avoid making long term commitments during a difficult
time. She is the proud mom of Jessica, 21 and Robert 17. JoAnne enjoys
boating, traveling and just took up tennis!
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Shawn Seliger, Esq.
Attorney
The Bergermann & Seliger Law Firm
Shawn Seliger was born in Los Angeles , California . He graduated from
the University of California-Davis with a degree in Political Science in
1993. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was an inner city high school
teacher in South Central Los Angeles at George Washington Preparatory High
School . In this capacity, he formed a student court that received local
notoriety and served as an Impact Drug and Alcohol counselor. Additionally,
he worked closely with members of the State of California Department of
Corrections to promote prevention of Juvenile crime and substance abuse. Mr.
Seliger graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2001.
After graduating from law school, Mr. Seliger served as a Certified Legal
Intern and then as an Assistant State Attorney in North Florida . Upon
relocating to southwest Florida in 2003, Mr. Seliger served as an Assistant
Public Defender in both Charlotte and Lee Counties for two years. Shawn Seliger practices Family and Criminal Law with the Bergermann & Seliger Law
Firm. He is a member of numerous civic and legal organizations. Shawn is
married to Vera Bergermann and has three step children; Will, Elise and
Trevor.
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Cynthia Shafer
Realtor
Lahaina Realty, Inc.
Cynthia is a realtor with Lahaina Realty in Fort Myers Beach. She was
named Realtor of the Year in 2000 for Greater Fort Myers and the Beach
Association. More recently, she received by the National Association of
Realtors Good Neighbor award for her work as a child advocate. Cynthia is
the chair for the Beds for Kids program in the 5 county district, a program
she started with her husband John.
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Matthew Zipay
Associate Attorney
Quarles & Brady, LLP
Matt is an associate attorney with the law firm of Quarles & Brady, LLP,
in Naples. Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, he is a graduate of Ohio
University (B.B.A., 2001) and the University of Miami School of Law (J.D.,
2003 and LL.M., 2005). Matt practices primarily in the areas of estate
planning, estate administration and adoption law. Matt's outside interests
include playing sports and travel.
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VFK has established a Speaker's Bureau that provides individuals to deliver short talks about the Guardian
ad Litem Program and about the support work provided by VFK. Speaking engagements can be scheduled for any local organization by calling the VFK
office at (239) 997-KIDS (5437).
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"Abused, neglected and abandoned children don't have a voice in court or
the community unless a Guardian ad Litem volunteer speaks for their best
interests," says Tony Montalbano, Cape Coral Guardian ad Litem of three
years. "Doing the right thing for children is a legacy I can leave a child.
Every child needs an advocate to help him find his way out of the child
welfare system and into the permanent home they deserve."
Before moving to Florida as an early retiree, Mr. Montalbano was a Vice
President for Merrill Lynch and managed traders on the New York, American
and Philadelphia Securities Exchanges.
Mr. Montalbano has found some good friends with shared interests among
other volunteers, who are 50% men and 50% women.
"Enjoying the camaraderie with other volunteers who also care deeply
about children is an added bonus to volunteering. Regardless of what's
happening within the child welfare system, the GALs are the 'good guys'--and
everyone knows it."
How does volunteering fit into his retirement? "
Guardian ad Litem volunteering is very flexible. Visiting the children
and making calls is done at my convenience, leaving it easy to travel and
take advantage of other leisure time pursuits. I find it rewarding on a deep
level and I learn something new constantly. To one child, my voice really
does make a difference!"
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Join a Voices for Kids Committee
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Available VFK Committee Volunteer Opportunities
Please call Jan Barnes at
(239) 997-KIDS (5437) if you are interested in any of these committees:
Resource Development Committee
Even if you have never raised funds before, there are many ways you can help.
This committee is currently planning the next VFK Gala. We are soliciting corporate sponsors and auction items, and planning the many details of this event. We also need help with grantwriting, mailings, general event planning, and other work related to raising funds. Regardless of your fundraising experience,
VFK needs your help!
Chair: Karen R. Gudknecht
Marketing and PR Committee
This committee writes and sends press releases, develops and disseminates PSAs, solicits media sponsors, writes articles for newspapers and magazines, speaks to community groups and more. We have a long way to go to make Voices for Kids a household word and can use your help!
Chair: Monica Robb
Special Needs
This committee evaluates requests for funds to fulfill special needs for
children. The Special Needs Committee also manages the Tutoring/Access to the
Arts, Gymnastics, and the Beds for Kids Program.
Children's Programming
The Children’s Programming Committee plans and implements programs to enhance the
social and emotional well being of children in dependency. The Committee manages
My Closet, Happier Birthdays, Get-acquainted gifts and more.
Chair: Shara Weaver
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is responsible for managing the fiscal affairs of Voices
for Kids, including budget development and auditing.
Chair: Brian Itzkowitz |
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Annual Fund Membership
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We thank the following Annual Fund Members for their support.
Click here for the list
of all Annual Fund Donors by category with highest level at the top.
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