FLORIDA'S CHILDREN FIRST'S 2017 ANNUAL CHILD ADVOCACY AWARDS RECEPTION
Thu Jun 15, 5:30 PM - Thu Jun 15, 7:30 PM

We are honoring:

MAMIE WISE – Pro Bono Counsel of the Year
Mamie, a Crossroads For Florida Kids pro bono attorney, has been an extraordinary advocate for two vulnerable teen girls in the foster care system. In both cases, she spent tireless hours and years making certain they had proper educational placement, visitation with family friends, and to obtain appropriate clothing. She currently is employed at the firm of Zuckerman Spaeder LLP, where her areas of practice are white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and commercial litigation law has proved beneficial for her current firm and its clients, and for the poor children in our community for whom she has provided pro bono representation.

TERRY & KATHY BEYER – Adoptive Family of the Year
Terry and Kathy Beyer are an exceptional couple who are committed to caring for children. The Beyer’s have been fostering for 6 years and have also adopted one child. The Beyer’s welcome children from birth through teens and have been foster parents for infants who have been drug exposed, a child with Downs Syndrome, and children who have suffered trauma and neglect. They are open to learning all that they can to help these children and applying that knowledge to address problem behaviors, speech impediments, learning needs, or anything else to help them succeed.

ANNA ZHANG – Outstanding Youth Mentor of the Year
Anna is 21 and studying Criminal Justice at FAMU. She currently serves as the Statewide Legislative Chair of Florida Youth SHINE “FYS” and is a member of Tallahassee Chapter FYS. She came into care when she was 13 with her younger sister. She remained in foster care until 18. This was a tough and emotional time moving several times to different foster homes and often separated from her sister. Anna has spoken to countless legislators, lead statewide quarterly meetings, and was a key youth advocate in testifying several times before House and Senate committees on behalf of Keys to Independence bill that passed.

KADEIDRA CLOIRD -