"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." - Fredrick Douglass
Mission Statement
To provide programs, education, awareness and opportunities that empower children, youth and adults to improve health, wellness and skills for success in school and in life.
Our Vision
A community where youth feel loved, respected and appreciated so they refrain from drugs, alcohol and violence and ultimately lead a healthy lifestyle.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Tara Whitehead TREASURER
Andrea Spottswood DIRECTORS
Sean Brandenburg
Bonnie Helms
Jorge Lopez
Ebenson Michelin
Elena Spottswood EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Heidi Golightly ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Lisa DeRose
Interested in Keys To Be The Change Programs?
Contact Executive Director Heidi Golightly 541-974-4398
Thanks for visiting Keys to Be the Change, Inc. We are thrilled to have you wander around our website and take a peek at what we are doing in the community. As you may know, we are a grass roots, 501(c)3, non-profit corporation. We create programs that empower children, youth and adults to thrive in school and in life by building self-confidence and self-esteem. Currently we are involved in about 500 students lives on a weekly basis here in the Florida Keys. Our monthly peer-to-peer Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program, our Anti-Bullying initiatives, our Kids Win: Pathways to Success mentoring program, our MORE Reading Literacy Program along with our Youth Leadership endeavors and our Farm to School programs are all working to make our schools and communities safer and healthier for everyone!
We could not do any ot this without the support of the Monroe County School District, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, the City of Key West, the Key West Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff, Keys Open Doors Foundation, Strunk Ace Hardware and the many other community donors, businesses and volunteers who support us every day of the year. We thank you! We are all examples of being the change we wish to see in the world. Remember- "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men" and women. We are reaching out for donations from our friends and neighbors to help sustain all of our programs for next year. Please feel free to use paypal or send a check to: Keys to Be the Change, Inc.- 1208 Watson Street, Key West, FL 33040.
Keys to Be the Change continues to help the youth in our community by creating programs that build self-esteem and self-confidence. For more than a year, all of us have been experiencing life in a very different way. Imagine growing up in this world as it is right now. My heart goes out to everyone, but especially the kids, who are being robbed of a normal childhood.
THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN FOR SUPPORTING
KEYS TO BE THE CHANGE. THESE KIDS ARE OUR FUTURE. IT TAKES A VILLAGE AND WE ARE A GREAT ONE!
Very gratefully yours,
Heidi R. Golightly
Executive Director
Keys to Be the Change, Inc.
541-974-4398
heidirgolightly@gmail.com
www.keystobethechange.org
OUR PROGRAMS
MORE LITERACY PROGRAM
Mentors Optimizing Reading Excellence
Keys to Be the Change partners with the Monroe County School District providing a Literacy Coach as well as reading mentors on a daily basis to help improve literacy skills among
reluctant readers in grades K-12.
KIDS WIN: PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS (KW:PTS)
Key West Police Department officers and personnel, the United States Coast Guard. the United States Navy, Monroe County School District personnel and community volunteers mentor at risk youth in elementary, middle and high school to reduce truancy, increase grades, as well as helping to build self-confidence and self esteem.
PREVENTION/YOUTH LEADERS
Keys to Be the Change student leaders participate in prevention activities including vaping awareness, Human Trafficking awareness, Red Ribbon Week, Unity Day, Drunk/Drugged Driving awareness campaigns and community service activities. The goal of this program is to promote healthy choices which include living life without drugs, alcohol or violence.
FARM TO SCHOOL/FARM TO TABLE
Keys to Be the Change provides students and community members the opportunity to learn about growing organic vegetables for sustainability purposes as well as promoting healthy eating habits. Raised beds, tower gardens, and microgreen containers are all utilitzed in this endeavor.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO HELP OUR KIDS....THANK YOU MONROE COUNTY FOR BEING AN AMAZING VILLAGE!
TESTIMONIALS
“We are pleased to partner with this organization to improve literacy rates and encourage our students to read, providing opportunities that empower them and provide skills for success.” Christina McPherson Monroe County School District Director of Teaching and Learning
“These programs were enrichment to our school and the students benefited from them greatly. We would like to continue these programs with Keys to Be the Change and hope to expand the partnership.” Dr. Larry Schmiegel
Principal
“The MORE Literacy Program is a huge piece of our successful school. We view them as a strong reason we continue to grow.” Rob Taylor
Monroe County School District Literacy and Student Support Coordinator
“We encounter many hardships and challenges in life but when we come together we can make things better not only for ourselves but for others.” Youth Leader
“Keys to Be the Change has connected me to other people. I feel motivated and encouraged to be a helpful part of my community.” Youth Leader
“Thanks to you, you always did your best to make sure i was getting what i needed. From grades to life outside of school so thank you." Student
Kids Win Program
“Thank you so much, you never gave up on me even though i always gave you a reason too. You kept me going even when i would quit.” Student
Kids Win Program
“Thank you for always "thinking outside the box” during a year filled with much duress and challenges. You never seem to let strife…such as a pandemic/Covid 19, stop you from allowing our students to learn and become leaders in our community. Thank you for growing this nonprofit to be such an outstanding giving part of our community.” Debbi Jackson President, Keys Open Doors Foundation
“This organization does more than so many others with so much less money. I am proud to be a part of Keys to Be the Change.” Andrea Spottswood
Treasurer Keys to Be the Change, Inc.
“What a fantastic, inspiring and joyful update! Thanks so much for sharing, Heidi! I hope and you and KTBTC keep up the great work!!” Bobby Highsmith
School Board Member
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Keys to Be the Change partners with the Monroe County School District, the City of Key West, the Key West Police Department, Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, Keys Open Doors Foundation,Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, Florida Keys Human Trafficking Coalition, Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, Florida Keys Childrens Shelter, Florida Department of Health Monroe County, United Way of Collier and the Keys, Metropolitan Community Church Cooking with Love Program, GLEE Community Garden, United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Coast Guard, United States Navy and many others who help us provide services to our highest risk youth.
WE COULD NOT DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT YOU.
THANK YOU!
Photos Coming Soon
Keys to Be the Change, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization.
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