Trio of Christmas Partners Recognized for Going the Extra Mile

January 27, 2021

Pictured top is the Guardians for New Futures Board of Directors.
From bottom left are Dependency Case Manager Linda Beland
and Community Relations Director Christina Kaiser.

St. Lucie West -

Communities Connected for Kids expanded its GEM - or Going the Extra Mile - award series to include community partners during the nonprofit organization's January Board of Directors meeting.

Guardians for New Futures, an organization that helps meet the unfunded needs of children in the dependency system, was the first community partner to receive the award. GEM awards previously were internal only, given to staff to recognize excellence.

CCKids awarded the group for its partnership during the 2020 holiday season. Together, the CCKids and the Guardians fulfilled the holiday wishes of nearly 2,000 children, including all children served by the child-welfare system in Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast.

"They have always been partners in our gift drive, but this year we completely merged into one project, and the results were incredible," said Christina Kaiser, CCKids' community relations director. "We had more sponsors, more volunteers and better coverage - and for more children."

Additionally, the Guardians are establishing the first Children's Advocacy Center for the area - a sort of one-stop, first stop for children removed from home due to abuse or neglect.

Kaiser and Dependency Case Manager Supervisor Linda Beland also received GEM awards for their parts in the toy drive. Both worked together closely to ensure a smooth transition with the Guardians' project despite pandemic restrictions.

Beland, a case-manager supervisor in St. Lucie County, received the award in the Emerald Division, which covers case-management staff.

She was nominated by County Director Lorrene Egan and Kaiser, who said Beland and her team of support specialists were responsible for scheduling pick ups, loading and delivering more than a 1,000 gifts to children in care and doing it safely during the pandemic.

"I have worked with Linda Beland for more than a decade on community projects that benefit our case management staff and the families they serve," Kaiser said. "To put it plainly, Linda makes my job easier, and when I work with her I truly feel like I am part of a team."

Kaiser was nominated by CCKids' Martin County Director Denise Natalizio for her part in the Christmas project, which, prior to the Guardians merger, served children in Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast for 20 years.

"The only thing I'll take credit for is knowing great people and being smart enough to work with them," Kaiser said. "But this was a terrific surprise, and I'm really happy to be recognized alongside Linda and the Guardians."