Kids Can Feel Confident about Heading Back to School

Chrissie Ferguson
3 Aug 2017
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For many children, the first day back to school is an exciting one. Students are ready to take on the year with new haircuts, backpacks, school attire and supplies. But for less fortunate children, whose families are unable to afford these things, the first day back to school can be a little more daunting. In an effort to make sure that all children throughout south Florida feel ready and confident for the new school year, many local organizations are holding Back to School Drives this fall. Here are just a few of them.   Urban Youth Impact – Back 2 […]

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Sensing the Need in Haiti

Chrissie Ferguson
26 Apr 2017
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“You don’t know Haiti until you’ve seen it, smelled it, and touched it.” These were the words spoken to our mission team the night before embarking on a girls’ trip to “the unknown” with Food for the Poor in November 2016. With these daunting words looming over our heads, it was difficult to fathom exactly what we would encounter in Haiti over the next few days. Soon enough we would find out. Sensory overload began on our descent upon the beautiful country of Haiti — full of majestic, yet barren mountains (a deforestation that was the result of the Haitian […]

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Teachable Moments

Chrissie Ferguson
13 Sep 2016
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Teachable Moments

If you are a parent, chances are that you have learned to pick your battles with your child. But knowing exactly when to let something slide and when to address an issue immediately is not always easy. Samantha James, a kindergarten teacher at Palm Beach Christian Academy in West Palm Beach and mother of two, explained that it’s important to lay the groundwork at the beginning of the school year with young children. “Kindergarten provides a ton of opportunities every day to not only shape young minds but also to help children build their character,” said James. “On the first […]

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A Light in the Darkness

Chrissie Ferguson
1 Sep 2015
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  When news spread that two Tequesta teens – Austin Stephanos and Perry Cohen, 14-year-old friends, did not return from a fishing trip off the Jupiter inlet after a storm on July 24th – a darkness enveloped the hearts of many. Yet in the midst of this darkness, something great was stirring. Almost instantly, a community came together in faith, hope and love, shining a light – the light of Christ – for the world to see.   Many prayed. Some prayed because they were part of the family. Others prayed because they were family friends. Still others, in Florida […]

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Austin and Perry

Immunization: Doctors Address Concerns

Chrissie Ferguson
2 Aug 2015
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Immunization

It’s back-to-school time. And that means checklists: Books and supplies; new outfits or uniforms; lunchboxes, backpacks and thermoses. There are so many things to remember when getting your child ready for the first day of a new school year. But what about immunizations? Did you make sure that your child’s vaccines are up-to-date? August is National Immunization Awareness month. And while there has been much debate over the past several years on the safety of immunizations, pediatricians are making great strides to educate parents on the importance of keeping children up-to-date with vaccines before heading back to school. “In the […]

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A Second Chance

Chrissie Ferguson
5 May 2014
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Daniel’s Story Not everyone believes in second chances. But Daniel Cadorette and Theresa Gold know they exist after the family’s loss eventually led to new hope for life. Cadorette, a 22-year-old Palm Beach Atlantic University student, from Snellville, Georgia, was raised in a loving home. “My mom was always very involved in my life,” Cadorette recalls of his mother with whom he had a close relationship. But life began to change for Cadorette’s family when his parents decided to file for divorce in 2004. It was an emotional year for Cadorette and his younger sister, Isabelle. “At times, I felt […]

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Too Young For Battle

Chrissie Ferguson
2 Mar 2014
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Morning is an exciting time for many. It’s the start of a new day—a chance for a new beginning. It’s an opportunity to leave behind the disappointments and mistakes of yesterday and to look forward to the future. But for some children and adolescents living with bipolar disorder, morning is the most difficult time of day. The thought of facing another 24-hour period filled with unknown demons is daunting. And while most children their age are getting dressed for school, children with bipolar disorder are dressing for battle instead. Ryan’s Story Ryan Licht Sang was all too familiar with this […]

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Shopping for Hope

Chrissie Ferguson
2 Feb 2014
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On Belvedere Road, in the heart of West Palm Beach, lies a unique little shop that fills your bags with beautiful, hand-crafted items and your soul with so much more – hope. Shoppe561, founded and managed by Shoppe Keeper Janelle Lang, was created to share the message of hope with the community. Opening her own store was not an idea that came to Lang overnight, however. It took a lot of faith, a newly-received Master’s degree and some time away from home to realize what God had planned for her life. Discovering God’s plan Lang, a GAP employee for more […]

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God is Great. God is Good.

Chrissie Ferguson
11 Nov 2013
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God is great. God is good. And we thank him for our food. By his hands, we are fed. Thank you, Lord, for daily bread. It’s a simple blessing, a prayer of thankfulness we teach our children to recite before eating food. Many children have memorized this blessing or maybe one that is similar. But do children really know why they say these words? Are children truly thankful for what they are about to eat? Do they really know what it means to be thankful? Depending upon a child’s age, he or she may or may not know the meaning […]

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50 Shades of Shame

Chrissie Ferguson
4 Oct 2013
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Many Americans are willing to rack up an expensive grocery bill each week in order to purchase the freshest and purest foods. We look at ingredients in make-up, shampoo and sunscreen to make sure we are applying only the purest of products to our skin. And we are making efforts to keep the air we breathe cleaner by trading in our gas guzzlers for more eco-friendly cars. We are working harder to keep toxins out of our bodies. But are we working hard enough to keep our minds pure as well? Many would agree that this is not an easy […]

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