ARIELLA'S MITZVAH PROJECT

Mission: Support vulnerable children in, or at risk of entering, foster care.
Volunteer work: All Star Children’s Foundation, Safe Children Coalition, Children’s Guardian Fund, and weekly tutoring through One More Child.
Newest initiative: First Night Bags — backpacks filled with essentials and comforting items for children suddenly removed from unsafe homes.
Partnership: Working with Florida DCF (Circuit 12) to identify needs and provide bags directly to child protective investigators for emergency removals.
Local impact: Circuit 12 serves Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties, where 203 children were removed from their homes in FY 2025–26.
Age breakdown: 52% ages 0–5; 31% ages 6–12; 17% ages 13–17.
Goal: Collect and donate 100 First Night Bags for school-age children and teens, providing comfort, dignity, and reassurance during a frightening transition.

Florida DCF: Child protection and oversight.
Safe Children Coalition: Coordinates local foster-care services.
Children’s Guardian Fund: Provides resources beyond state funding.
All Star Children’s Foundation: Specialized foster care and trauma treatment.
One More Child: Supports vulnerable children and families.