At Gridiron Celebrity Hoops XIV avid fans will enjoy our version of the historical showdown between two superior celebrity teams: The ¨NFC¨ (National Foster Care) and the ¨AFC¨ (American Foster Care). Each ticket sold aids us as we continue our fundraising efforts to heal the emotional and physical scars that the toddlers, teens and young adults that we serve have suffered - youths who look forward to a special day of VIP treatment. The many children from the foster care programs are the game’s true “Most Valuable People.” The hoops event’s benefactor is Juli’s Kids Motivated to Succeed (Juli’s Kids). This event is the largest fundraiser for the charity.
During these trying times of economic downturn, it is charities that have suffered the most, yet they are unfortunately the ones who need the most. Every year Juli’s Kids selects a local social services charity and provides VIP tickets so that youths in various programs can attend Super Bowl weekend events as our complimentary guests. This year we have selected the Indiana Department of Child Services (IDCS) and the various foster care organization’s under its supervision to be the recipients of part of the proceeds. We will work with IDCS and many other worthy organizations to bring about rewarding change to positively impact the prosperity of the kids and the communities.
Please support our charities of choice:
Juli’s Kids Motivated to Succeed (Juli’s Kids) is celebrating over 12 years of service to more than 28,000 children who come to us for care each year. We are a non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of today’s abused, abandoned, neglected and homeless children. Many have been rescued from abusive and neglectful homes and placed in emergency child protective services, group homes or with compassionate foster care parents. Most are waiting to be adopted into loving and caring families. We’ve watched them grow. Celebrated birthdays and holidays. Happy days and sad days—we’ve been with them through it all. That’s why we’re more than just a charity. We’re a part of the community. And our kids are more than just statistic; they’re part of our family. A very loving family of professionals, counselors, therapists, doctors, lawyers, professional athletes, actors, music artists, volunteers and social workers.
The majority of our children have faced some of life’s toughest challenges at an early age; some unfortunately suffered from abuse and neglect on a daily basis. When the neglect or abuse suffered by a child presents a serious and substantial threat to his/her life, health or development, we work with various family agencies to provide a protective haven and family-like environment. It is our unwavering mission and driven purpose to provide every child with a safe, secure, and affectionate home.
Since our inception in 1999, Juli’s Kids has been 100% dedicated to caring for children who have been exposed to physical and/or psychological trauma. Our ardent effort and devotion have brought hope for a brighter tomorrow for kids unsure where their next meal was coming from. Juli’s Kids has given confused youths peace of mind and a sense of stability. As we help lessen the fear of uncertainty amongst infants, adolescents, teens and young adults, we take pride in knowing that we are making a difference in a child’s life. All young dreamers deserve a committed, nurturing family, and other enduring connections to grow and develop to their full potential. It is our philanthropic responsibility to introduce and join the many children in need of love with families willing to open their hearts. We passionately assist with the child placement process, and help youths feel love, affection, support and encouragement, as well as provide them with education and inspiration.
Originally founded in Los Angeles, California, Junior Achievers Motivated to Succeed (the charity’s original name) began with the vision of one woman longing to motivate, inspire, encourage, connect with, and assure youths in foster care that they can be successful despite their unfortunate circumstances. Juli’s Kids is the brainchild of Juli Jordan, lawyer, President, and CEO of Jam Sports Productions, LLC. While working with young boys and girls in the economically-disadvantaged Crenshaw area of California, Jordan discovered her purpose. She had not been a child raised in the inner-city, nor growing up had she been considered an at-risk youth, but what she could connectively identify with is the pain, sadness, self-esteem and abandonment issues that come from being placed for adoption.
At the delicate age of three, Jordan was put up for adoption – a terminology that legally means, she was placed in the custody of social services’ foster care system. Based on the voluntary relinquishment, a Virginia court subsequently terminated the parental rights of both of her biological parents. She was adopted into a loving family where she was able to thrive. Through her strength to redirect her pain, and determination to succeed, Jordan became a lawyer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. But not every child is as fortunate. As a former child of foster care, Jordan knew the feeling of low self-esteem, the sad emotions of not belonging, and the sense of abandonment that permeates the hearts and minds of so many foster care children. The disconnect from one’s biological family or the lack of genealogical history can be very emotionally devastating. Simple things like not knowing your family medical history, who you look like; or even the question almost all kids in foster care ask, why did my parents not want me or why did my parent(s) hurt me?—can all be painful, wounding and depressing.
Concerned and empathetic towards youths who have shared in similar hurtful experiences, Jordan decided to focus her attention and dedicate her life to becoming a champion for the rights and life-enhancements of abused, abandoned, neglected and homeless children. Over the years, the youths of our organization became known as “Juli’s Kids.” From there, the name of the charity changed to Juli’s Kids Motivated to Succeed, but the mission has always stayed the same.
At Juli’s Kids we are determined to continue to do our part to raise awareness of the child abuse and neglect epidemic; financially support and enhance the day-to-day living of these extraordinary children in crisis who are facing many tough issues and life struggles; and assist in the building of self-esteem, confidence, courage and perseverance that all children need when these character traits are often damaged and need reinforcements. Because of the pain children suffer from the disruption of families, we are steadfast in our mission to enhance the United States foster care outreach and adoption programs to the benefit of the communities by connecting corporations, athletes, celebrities, philanthropists, and good-hearted everyday people who are like-minded in their desire to make a difference in the betterment of the life of a child.
To aid in bringing about change, Juli’s Kids has donated more than half-a-million dollars to worthy charities all across America with philanthropic missions and goals that align with ours. While the number of children we serve continues to grow, the support from state resources continues to decline. Therefore, we hope everyone who visits this website and learns of our organization will help us with our mission and make a gift of support. There are many young souls who would deeply benefit from your help and with your help, Juli’s Kids can continue “to foster hope, foster care, and inspire infinite possibilities, one phenomenal child at a time.”
Together, we can establish a caring presence in the community and change the lives of our future’s most valued hope…..our kids. Juli’s Kids.
For more information visit www.juliskids.org
Gridiron Celebrity Hoops benefits Juli’s Kids Motivated to Succeed (Juli’s Kids), a non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of today’s abused, abandoned, neglected and homeless children. Many have been rescued from abusive and neglectful homes and placed in emergency child protective services, group homes or with compassionate foster care parents. Most are waiting to be adopted into loving and caring families. Each year Juli’s Kids selects a local charitable organization in the Super Bowl host city that serves the city’s abused and neglected children. In 2012, Juli’s Kids has selected the Indiana Department of Child Services (IDCS) to be the beneficiating charity of the 14th season of this fundraising event.
The Department of Child Services was established in January 2005 by an executive order of Governor Mitch Daniels. The Department was charged with providing more direct attention and oversight of two critical areas: protection of children and child support enforcement. James W. Payne, a juvenile court judge in Marion County for 25 years, was named the Agency's first Director.
DCS protects children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. The Department also administers child support, child protection, adoption and foster care throughout the state of Indiana. The DCS Central Office is located in the Indiana Government Center South at 402 West Washington Street, Room W302.
DCS Mission, Vision, and ValuesMission: The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) protects children from abuse and neglect. DCS does this by partnering with families and communities to provide safe, nurturing, and stable homes.
Vision: Children thrive in safe, caring, supportive families and communities.
Values: Protecting our Children, Families and Future
- We believe every child has the right to be free from abuse and neglect.
- We believe every child has the right to appropriate care and a permanent home.
- We believe parents have the primary responsibility for the care and safety of their children.
- We believe the most desirable place for children to grow up is with their own families, when these families are able to provide safe, nurturing, and stable homes.
- We believe in personal accountability for outcomes, including one's growth and development.
- We believe every person has value, worth, and dignity.
For more information visit. http://www.in.gov/dcs/index.htm
