Voices for Children: 2024 Annual Golf Invitational

The Voices For Children Foundation, Inc. celebrated a hole-in-one for children in Miami-Dade County’s foster care system at its annual golf invitational at the prestigious La Gorce Country Club. The event, hosted by chair-elect Brad Meltzer, raised $350,000 to support Voice’s critical funding for advocacy, essential needs, and positive experiences for abused, abandoned, and neglected youth.

“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of generosity from the sponsors and players here to support VFC and Brad,” said Voices President and CEO Kadie Black. “This incredible donation will directly impact the lives of countless children in need, ensuring they have a strong voice and the resources they deserve.”

The day began with brunch, followed by a beautiful day on the links. Following the golf, all guests enjoyed dinner while they learned more about Voices’ mission. Meltzer thanked attendees for “generously giving to children in the local community,” while Black explained some of the hardships that children and youth in care experience.

“For children experiencing foster care, navigating the court system can be like navigating a labyrinth – it’s really tough. That’s why it’s so important that they have a Guardian ad Litem by their side. This can make the difference in ensuring that children and youth go from surviving to thriving,” she told attendees.

One of Voices’ focus areas is advocacy, something the organization contributes to by providing funding for more than 50% of the local Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Office (which employs over 100 staff members). Through a multi-disciplinary team, the GAL Office provides youth with a consistent advocate who speaks up for their best interests in court, alongside an office attorney.

Michael Williams, a former foster youth who founded the DASH Foundation, which provides teens and young adults (primarily those from foster care) with experiential learning opportunities and resources that educate, develop, and support their personal and professional development, was also in attendance and spoke on the significance of GALs.

“The system is not built for young people,” Williams shared. “They already lack trust and meaningful relationships. That’s why I’m such a big advocate for youth having GALs.”

This is Meltzer’s 18th consecutive year hosting the Golf Invitational and the 10th on behalf of Voices. Year after year, the event ushers in the best in class of the Real Estate Development and Construction industry of South Florida. His efforts have netted over $2.5M to further Voices’ mission of serving as a beacon of hope for children and youth experiencing foster care.

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