Fort Bend foster youth will receive thousands of hours of specialized services provided by Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) thanks to the generosity of Fluor Corporation and the many volunteers and supporters who took part in the 11th anniversary Golf for Greater Houston Golf Tournament. Event Chair April Nemec and Co-Chair Paul Miller led a volunteer committee of Fluor employees in the year-long effort to raise more than $410,000 for charity. CAFB’s N.E.S.T. and WINGS programs, for school-aged and aging-out foster youth, received a $70,000 grant award as result of the event, and nine other local charities received a share of the proceeds.
“We are so thrilled to receive this tremendous level of support to help a growing number of foster youth in Fort Bend County, many who unfortunately will age out of care before finding a forever home. Thankfully, this gift will help us reach more youth this year. If a youth shows an interest in a specific career path or decides to attend college, we connect them with the resources they will need to pursue their dreams. We literally drive youth to colleges, universities and trade schools every summer through this program. It is very inspiring to see them reach for the stars, especially after all they have been through,” said Child Advocates of Fort Bend CEO Ruthanne Mefford.
“Fluor is honored to help the WINGS and N.E.S.T. Programs for foster youth in Fort Bend County. We are thankful to our many partners from all over the region who gave their support for our most successful golf tournament to date,” said Barbara Jones, senior manager of community and public affairs at Fluor. “We are so pleased the event was a huge success and that we can give back to the community in this way, especially to help so many foster youth in need.”
“We do whatever it takes to help each child succeed in life,” stated Child Advocates of Fort Bend CASA Program Director Metoyer Martin. “Thanks to Fluor’s generosity, the outlook for foster youth in Fort Bend County is very bright. We literally change lives because youth are able to move past whatever brought them into the child welfare system, and turn things around. Without this support, we could not achieve these positive results. This year we held our very first College Signing Day and, we look forward to having more youth sign up for trade schools and colleges which will place them on a path to sustainable careers. This funding also helps us provide equitable access to hands-on S.T.E.M. activities as we know these are skills in very high demand.”
About Child Advocates of Fort Bend:
Child Advocates of Fort Bend is a non-profit agency that has been making a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children for 27 years. Its mission is to provide a voice, heal the hurt, and break the cycle of child abuse in Fort Bend County. Through its Court Appointed Special Advocates Program (CASATM), Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) and more than 200 trained community volunteer advocates, Child Advocates of Fort Bend improves the lives of more than 400 children each month and has served more than 15,500 children since opening its doors in 1991. Volunteers are needed to help in the agency’s Children’s Advocacy Center and in the Court Appointed Special Advocates Program. For more information on Child Advocates of Fort Bend or to become a volunteer, go to www.cafb.org or contact Casey Davis at cdavis@cafb.org or 281-344-5172.
About Fluor Cares and Golf for Greater Houston:
Fluor Cares, Fluor’s formal employee volunteer program, is the heart of the company’s community involvement efforts. Started in 1976 by J. Robert Fluor, the program engages and empowers employees to make a difference in their communities, magnifying and extending Fluor’s philanthropic impact. Since its founding, Golf for Greater Houston volunteers have dedicated countless hours in the planning and execution of this event. With the support of valued sponsors, Fluor Cares has donated more than $2,500,000 in connection with Golf for Greater Houston. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Golf for Greater Houston selected 10 local charities: The Ballard House, Candlelighters, Child Advocates of Fort Bend, Fort Bend Family Promise, Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund, The Monarch School & Institute, NextOp Veterans, Periwinkle Foundation, and Small Steps Nurturing Center to receive proceeds from the event. With the support of sponsors and other donors, they have donated $410,000 to these charities.
Shown presenting a check to Child Advocates of Fort Bend are, Front row (L to R): Corey McShannon, Alex Gaeto, April Nemec, Jessica Jubin, Ruthanne Mefford, Dan Spinks and Kurt Wendt. Back row, (L to R) are: Rebecca Shoenherr, Victor Vann, Barbara Jones, Jennifer Strader, Tendai Mushambi and Paul Byrnes.
Golf for Greater Houston Steering Committee
April Nemec, Chair
Paul Miller, Co-Chair
Alex Gaeto
Matthew Sugar
Rebecca Shoenherr
Robert Fausett
Tendai Mushambi
Executive Committee
Victor Vann Corey
McShannon
Kurt Wendt
Paul Byrnes
Barbara Jones