Event planning is a bit like the proverbial swan metaphor, with volunteers paddling like mad to organize galas and fundraisers, which are then presented with seemingly effortless elegance. Only those closest to them, or who have been in the position themselves, along with the ever grateful staff, can truly appreciate the effort involved.
But, knowing the nonprofits could not function without them, they do it cheerfully, often enlisting the support of friends. That is the case with Sue Sharpe, a longtime Hibiscus Guild member, who is co-chairing this year’s Hibiscus Children’s Center Winter Gala: Dazzling Masquerade Ball with her friend Julie Otto.
“As a matter of fact, Julie and I have been friends for 39-plus years,” says Sharpe. “We actually met in New York City when I had my first child and she was the nurse at the pediatric office.”
They eventually lost touch after the Sharpe family moved to Greenwich before relocating to Vero in 1998, and the Otto family to New Canaan before moving here permanently two years ago.
“Fast forward to about six years ago. Julie and her husband were renting a house in Vero and opened up a magazine and saw my daughter’s wedding announcement,” laughs Sharpe. “So it’s wonderful to be in Vero Beach together in a combined effort to raise funds for Hibiscus Children’s Center.”
“I am thrilled to be co-chairing the Dazzling Masquerade Ball with Sue,” says Otto. “As an added bonus, I have met so many incredible women who give so much in our attempts to positively impact so many children’s lives.”
Sharpe agrees, noting, “They sit down, plan an event and get it done; and always with a smile on their faces and a lot of fun.”
They promise that the Dazzling Masquerade Gala black-tie event, Dec. 6 at the Moorings Club, will be a particularly exciting one.
“Masks are mandatory, for both sexes,” stresses Sharpe.
Behind the masks and merriment, the volunteers are all very much aware of the need to raise funds to support the abused, neglected and abandoned children of Hibiscus.
“I had worked with a similar organization in Greenwich; Kids in Crisis,” says Sharpe. “At some point you step up to the plate and you never go home. Because I’m so involved, I’ve gotten my husband involved.”
George Sharpe now serves on the Indian River County Advisory Board and the Governing Board Executive Committee and also chairs the Governing Board Marketing Committee.
“It is so apparent how much everyone cares; they go beyond to see that each child has the tools to excel and be successful,” says Otto.
Proceeds benefit a variety of Hibiscus programs, but one of their current focuses, especially at the Hibiscus Village in Vero, is education.
“The educational program is what has been really beefed up,” explains Michael Waninger, Hibiscus president/CEO, recognizing the efforts of Ron Swart, GED [general equivalency diploma] teacher and tutor, True Price, educational liaison, and Cyntheria Payne, Career Pathways to Independence coordinator.
Hibiscus Village accommodates roughly 40 youth, generally between 13 and 18 years of age, and most attend Indian River County middle or high schools. However, some enter quite far behind academically, having been shunted from foster home to foster home – or worse. They can now be enrolled in a new Hibiscus GED program. It is tied into Career Pathways to Independence, which funds internships with local businesses thanks to an Impact 100 grant.
“Sixteen-year-olds do not do well in middle school; it’s not setting them up for success,” explains Price. The GED program partners with Indian River Adult Education, which provides the curriculum, administers tests and certifies hours, but students are taught on campus.
“We found with supervision issues and some of the requirements of our children it’s better to keep them here on our campus; we can work better with them here and address their needs immediately,” she adds.
Students who do enter the public school system are guided along the way by compassionate Hibiscus Staff, school administrators and guidance counselors.
Price says that foster care kids are often behind in their schooling because no one previously put an emphasis on education. Hibiscus staff strives to change the thought process by demonstrating ways that education can impact their lives. Volunteers tutor students throughout the year, and there is an emphasis on remedial classes and seminars on such subjects as how to study and how to take tests.
“And we are having success; now this is the best they’ve ever done in school. We have kids going to AP classes and getting dual credits,” says Price.
One tool in the arsenal is the online Florida Virtual School, where students can make up credits in areas where they are behind. They can also take Drivers Education, which is not offered in schools today. Staff hopes Hibiscus can keep stride technologically, having found that students are more receptive when utilizing computers. Swart says that kids lose interest if the technology is not kept up to date.
“We had a lot of kids going to virtual school over the summer; so that was a bonus this year,” Price says. “It’s something on this campus that we’re mandating that some kids do. And we’re getting some kids now asking to do it, which is once again changing their mindset about education.”
“We had a lot of kids coming in over the summer and wanting to do it on their own; catch up,” agrees Swart. “Education is cool now.”
“They’re just being more invested in their education which is a big positive for these kids,” Price adds. “No one cared about their homework or their education before. They know that we do care; they get that from every angle here on campus.”
“All of a sudden they get the satisfaction of seeing results, which is something many of these kids haven’t seen,” says Waninger.
In one instance, they helped improve the reading and math skills of a girl who loved to cook but didn’t want to go to school. Waninger said she got into the reading program and it suddenly clicked because she could read recipes and actually utilize her math skills. “There was a connection of a vocation and a love. She could see the dots were connected.”
“When she found an interest she said, ‘thank you for not giving up on me’,” says Swart. “Most of them can do it, they’ve just had distractions along the way; a little hiccup in their education that we can put back on track.”
Through Pathways to Learning, older students have an opportunity to garner experience in the working world. Price says, “They are starting to equate their likes and dislikes with what they want to do; they see a vested interest in school as a result.”
Donations and grants have enabled Hibiscus to expand its educational programs and purchase additional laptops, and hire someone to orchestrate the GED program.
“This is all different from one year ago,” Waninger says. “This is not just a residential facility. We’re providing the services that these children never had as kids with their previous upbringing, and now they have a chance when they age out to not be so far behind.”
“For years these kids were probably just surviving; just learning how to cope and get through life and survive,” says Tracy Natiello-Savoia, Hibiscus director of marketing. “And now they’re flourishing; they’re reading and doing things other kids just take for granted. It’s amazing.”
“It’s a cultural change really,” adds Waninger. “Children move from foster home to foster home to foster home. You have to get through that first hurdle before they understand why education is important. ”
“They need the inspiration and motivation, and for someone not to give up on them – even when they’re at their worst,” adds Price.
For more information, visit www.hibiscuschildrenscenter.org.
