Tiffani Dhooge

12/24/2024

Harbor Hero Time!!!!! Forget about your elf on a shelf – we have our very own ELF SQUAD! Every year, without fail, Heather Geronemus and her crew roll up their sleeves to “light up the Harbor”, deck out the trees, and make everything merry and bright. Once they’ve set the scene, our kids take it from there, for our annual Holiday Harbor showdown...

Stay tuned… you will not want to miss how our kids transformed their houses with their creativity!

Children's Harbor, Inc. UKG

11/10/2024

You may not have noticed her - because she was hiding under the table trying to avoid attention - but, last week, we had the honor of celebrating someone truly remarkable at the FLITE Center's Unsung Heroes Luncheon. This special event shines a light on those phenomenal team members who do the heavy lifting behind the scenes, the ones dedicated to making a real difference without seeking the spotlight.

It fills me with immense pride to share that Debbie White-Maynes, our educational instructor, was honored with the FLITE Center’s 2024 Unsung Heroes Award.

Debbie (aka: Mary Poppins) joined our team last year to help us expand our academic and life skills program through the launch of a “learning center.” With her National Board-Certified expertise, Debbie sees education as a gateway to endless possibilities. Her ability to tailor learning plans for our teens, many of whom struggle through significant educational challenges, has been nothing short of game-changing. Beyond her role as an Educational Instructor, she offers them not just tools and guidance but the crucial encouragement they need to take another step forward.

Every day, I am profoundly grateful to work alongside such remarkable human beings. Their dedication motivates me to reach higher in everything I do.

Immense gratitude to FLITE for creating the perfect occasion to pause and honor team members like Debbie, whose work brilliantly outshines the spotlight she so humbly avoids.

10/08/2024

Who talks to you more than you do?
Who influences you more than you do?
You are a powerful communicator and you are always hearing.......wait for it....YOU.

My friend, Maria Smith just wrote an incredible article on the science of negative self-speak. In all transparency, I can relate to every single one of these thought patterns. Over and over again, I’ve been my own biggest hurdle, letting self-doubt hold me back more times than I can count.

At Children's Harbor we see this play out every day with our kids. Overcoming trauma starts with changing that internal dialogue. Maria breaks this all down and shows us how we can rewire and rewrite our own stories.

🔗 to article in the comments

10/02/2024

[BIG SIGH]....when a harbor keeper uses HIS moment in the spotlight to shine a light on YOUR kids! Marty Applebaum, you are a Harbor Hero!! We are so incredibly blessed to have such selfless champions supporting our mission. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Did you miss reading about South Florida Business & Wealth "Men of Innovation and Influence".... click here!

https://lnkd.in/d7RFDJBy

Marleen Applebaum

10/02/2024

You heard it here first!!! We are over the moon to announce that the Harbor Team will be welcoming ANOTHER baby boy into our lives! Time to start shopping for all things blue!

Special thanks to our anonymous harbor keeper who made this gender reveal possible for our young mom. It was such a special moment for her ☺️☺️☺️.


Children's Harbor, Inc.

09/15/2024

"We fuel economic growth through the quality of education we provide in our schools." - Dr. Howard Hepburn

I had the opportunity to meet with Broward County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Howard Hepburn and key members of his team, alongside Sandra Veszi Einhorn and a small group of nonprofit leaders. I came prepared with my trusty list of bullet points that "needed to be addressed" but it wasn't long before that list fell to the floor as I listened to him speak - unscripted and straight from the heart - about the incredible potential our community has to create real change for our kids. I’m fired up by his vision and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together for our children.

Thank you Megan Turetsky for coordinating, John Sullivan for stopping by to say hello and our new friend Eric M. Chisem (Hall of Famer)

Nonprofit Executive Alliance Children's Harbor, Inc.

09/04/2024

I can only speak to you about suicidal ideation from my own experience. And although it is a place that I have frequented often, it is not a place that I have been willing to speak from or about.

I'm not entirely sure why I've kept my story to myself—maybe because it felt like too much to give? Maybe because I thought it didn’t matter? There are far more gifted voices that occupy this space – what could I possibly add to the conversation? The fear of irrelevance has always outweighed the fear of not being heard at all.
So this is the first of three editorials that will be released by The Daily Drip as we encourage honest conversations, in honor of ***deawarenessmonth, about what it means to live and love someone who is plagued by major depressive disorder.

My hope is that within this series, someone might find a piece of themselves in my experience and and find the courage to keep moving forward.

💛 ***deAwarenessMonth

https://www.thedailydrip.com/post/depression-suicidal-ideation-the-battle-behind-the-hashtags

Whether you're directly affected by these issues or seeking to support someone who is, join Ms. Esquire and Memorial Healthcare System at the YMCA of South Florida TONIGHT for a FREE panel discussion in honor of Su***de Prevention and Awareness month. It will be a safe space to explore these critical topics and find the support you need. Click here for details: https://lnkd.in/gQpZfCTC

Established in 2001 by the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention, September marks National Su***de Prevention Month, a time to remember the lives lost to su***de, acknowledge the millions more who struggle with suicidal thoughts, and the many individuals, families and communities that have been...

07/25/2024

Max Osceola, Jr. was a “modern-day warrior and a true legend among his people” and being asked to speak at the Hard Rock unveiling of the new memorabilia display commemorating his life was one of the greatest privileges of my tenure.

Last Spring, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood hosted an evening of celebration and charity in Max’s honor. Over 500 guests and dignitaries attended the dinner, celebrating his impact on their lives and raising nearly $156,000 for Children's Harbor, Inc.

There are no words that can adequately convey the honor of receiving a gift in the name of such an extraordinary leader. To honor Max’s conviction that “access to education is the true equalizer” our Board has decided that this generous gift will be endowed with the Community Foundation of Broward, allowing Children’s Harbor to award annual scholarships to our kids in his name for generations to come.

video link: https://wsvn.com/news/local/broward/seminole-hard-rock-hotel-and-casino-honors-late-max-osceola-jr-with-new-display/

07/24/2024

Does walking into a new networking situation make you break out in a cold sweat?

ME TOO.

That's why our fantastic success coach team has put together a "mock" networking event for our kids. They can experience allllllllllllllllll of the feels in a safe space instead of being thrown straight into the deep end.

If this sounds like a mentoring opportunity you'd enjoy, come join us tomorrow at 6 PM!

Click here to RSVP for FREE:

https://childrensharbor.networkforgood.com/events/71359-connect-conquer-at-browns-harbor

07/15/2024

Yes. I knew that Palermo, Landsman and Ross had sponsored a networking mixer and that we would be receiving the proceeds from the event but....I HAD NO IDEA that the outcome would look like THIS! Way to draw a crowd, Brett Landsman and Peter Leighton

I am absolutely floored by the turnout at the FLDCP Florida Design and Construction Professionals Network mixer. 105 C-Suite leaders from the construction industry gathered at Lasso Gaucho in Fort Lauderdale for a little networking and ALOT of impact! They raised $4,300.00 for Children's Harbor, Inc.!!!!

Thank you to everyone who attended - your support means the world to us!

07/14/2024

I spent this past weekend dreaming about our next with the Children's Harbor, Inc. Board of Directors and Executive Staff!

Our board members gathered for our annual strategic session, celebrating our present and honoring our past. They heard directly from our Program Directors and our founder, Bill Mahoney, who shared our origin stories and his hopes for our future.

A huge thank you to our dedicated board members not only for your time - but for the way you challenge and encourage me to continually reach higher. Your insight drives us forward, and together, we’ve set the stage for another extraordinary year at Children’s Harbor. I could not be more excited about what’s to come!!

06/27/2024

Today's generation is unapologetic in their desire for a life beyond their career, refusing to shoulder the burden of an under-resourced system at the expense of personal happiness...AND AS LAUGHABLE as that pipe dream seems to me, witnessing this evolution has prompted me to question whether my own sacrifices were truly necessary, or born from an outdated leadership model...

My last article just dropped on The Daily Drip. I'd love to know your thoughts about it!

https://www.thedailydrip.com/post/dying-to-reach-the-top-a-reflection-on-the-costs-of-the-climb-to-ceo

According to The Wall Street Journal, more than 1,900 CEOs left their jobs last year, and a record 19 died in office. Among those who stayed on the job, a Deloitte study found that 82 percent have experienced severe exhaustion indicative of burnout, and 96 percent feel their mental health has declin...

06/18/2024

Looks like I am officially a “boss”!
Sporting my new CEO bling that Tekia picked out just for me 😜.

06/18/2024

"God bless you. I just don't know how you "put up with such ridiculous behavior"

"Isn't there another place where 'those' kids can go so it doesn't disrupt the others?"

"What could have possibly triggered such a violent incident?"

At the risk of completely alienating those individuals who felt comfortable enough to privately respond to my post last week, I thought it might be possible that others wondered the same...

I know that this is going to be a controversial statement but...teenagers are children. And in our context, they are children who have been through unspeakable acts of injustice. Science will evidence that their brains aren't even developed enough to wrap itself around the facts of what has happened to them, much less WHY it has happened to them. Many times, when I read their stories, I find myself wondering if the adults in my life could function at a minimal level if they had to go through similar situations. Yet, we continue to hold these children to a such unrealistic behavioral standards.

So, what could possibly trigger such intense reactions? While, I can't share the specifics of what led to Chris's incident, let me give you a glimpse into some of the challenges our kids have faced this month:

"D" finally found the courage to name her abuser. During family session, her mom told her that she was ashamed of her and that she was no longer considered part of the family.

"S" found out that her Grandmother, the only adult who has ever been there for her, passed away. She did not have the chance to say goodbye.

"O" waited for hours on our basketball court for a visit with his dad, who didn't show up...again.

"V" packed his bags and thought he was finally going home this week. Instead, he learned that his mom is still using drugs. She lied to him again.

Christopher's incident wasn't an anomaly...we EXIST to support and love these kids through heart-wrenching experiences. I challenge you to consider that without a safe space to heal, these moments would consume them and they would spiral deeper into the darkness of trauma. WE GET TO BE that safe space. And when I say "we", I mean, ALL of us. It's the people reading this post that help us create an environment where they can confront what they've been through and rebuild their lives. Together, we are reshaping their future and helping them build a DIFFERENT tomorrow.

Thank you for all of the ways that you continue to support our mission.

www.childrensharbor.org Children's Harbor, Inc.

06/13/2024

Yesterday, we dealt with a very different type of storm on main campus :(

It was a pretty rough day for our Christopher. In a moment of intense rage, he lashed out and broke the window of one of our vans. I refer to these behavioral outbursts as "Hulk syndrome" because they are the result of intense emotions that our boys really struggle to control. In these moments, they literally transform into someone unrecognizable, driven by anger and frustration…and then…in the aftermath are left feeling deflated, sad and stuck with the consequences of their choices.

Not going to pretend. I had a really difficult time controlling MY OWN hulk like emotions after this one. Ms. Ana sent me back to the office to write, “WE DON’T GIVE UP ON KIDS”, 2000 times on the whiteboard.

The next morning, I found this note on my desk, folded up like a little paper hat.

When you work with teenagers, you hear a lot about the disrespect, and the defiance, and the outbursts but THIS is the side of the story that often goes unreported – the vulnerability, the remorse, and the heartfelt desire to make things right.

Our team feels privileged to be part of these moments. We get to see their struggles AND their remarkable capacity for self-reflection. It’s a reminder that they are not defined by their outbursts, but by their courage to seek forgiveness and their willingness to learn and grow.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Children's Harbor, Inc.. It’s your generosity that allows us to create a safe space for our kids to navigate their challenges and find a path toward healing.

06/07/2024

I feel like we could all use a beer.
Meet us at LauderALE brewery tomorrow at 2 PM! [link in comments]

05/27/2024

NOPE - didn't get hacked. Just trying to separate the "life boxes". If you received a notice from Tiffani Dhooge, it's legit :)