Forward Bound Youth Services Program

10/16/2026

💚💙 Okeechobee County: LET'S TALK ABOUT AMENDMENT 3 AND OUR CHILDREN! 💚💙

Did you know that your property tax dollars help fund programs that serve thousands of children and families throughout Okeechobee County?

The Children’s Services Council of Okeechobee invested over $1.6 million in our community through 13 nonprofit organizations during 2025–2026!

🗳️ WHAT IS AMENDMENT 3?

On November 3, 2026, Florida voters will decide on Amendment 3, a proposal to increase homestead property tax exemptions. While this could lower property taxes for eligible homeowners, it would also reduce funding available to certain local services, including Children's Services Councils.

According to the Florida Policy Institute, Okeechobee County's Children's Services Council could see an estimated $455,000 reduction in funding over two fiscal years if Amendment 3 passes.

These funds help support youth mentoring, summer programs, counseling, educational opportunities, family assistance, and community events.

❤️ WHY SHOULD OUR COMMUNITY PAY ATTENTION?

Changes in funding could affect the resources available to children and families who depend on these services.

📢 OUR CALL TO ACTION

We encourage every Okeechobee County resident to educate themselves about Amendment 3 before Election Day. Read the proposed amendment, understand the potential property tax savings and impacts on local services, ask questions, and make an informed decision.

At Forward Bound Youth Services, we believe an informed community is an empowered community.

Our Children. Our Community. Our Future.

Empowered Youth • Brighter Futures • Stronger Communities
https://amendment3.floridapolicyinstitute.org/okeechobee

10/07/2026

❤️ Help Us Build a Smile This Christmas! 🎄

Dear Friends, Community Partners, and Supporters,

This December 2026, Forward Bound Youth Services, in partnership with John Henry Cleaning Services LLC, will proudly host our 5th Annual Toys4Joys Toy Drive.
For five years, Toys4Joys has been about so much more than passing out gifts. It is about making sure children in our community feel seen, loved, remembered, and celebrated during one of the most magical times of the year.
For many families, the holiday season can also bring financial stress and uncertainty. While some children are making Christmas lists, there are parents quietly wondering how they will make Christmas happen at all. That is where we come together as a community.

Our theme this year asks a simple question:
☃️ “Do You Want to Build a Smile?” ❤️
With your support, we can.

We are currently seeking monetary donations, toys, sponsorships, and community partners to help make our 5th year our biggest and most impactful yet. Last year we impacted the lives of over 700 children infant to high school. We've set our target at 1,000 children this year. No contribution is too small. Every donation brings us one step closer to creating a Christmas filled with toys, games, music, food, activities, laughter, and memories our children can carry with them long after the holidays are over.

Sponsorship Opportunities:
❤️ Sponsor a Child — as little as $20
🎁 Sponsor a Pallet of Toys — $500
🎪 Sponsor an Activity Area — $1,500
🥉 Bronze Event Sponsor — $500
🥈 Silver Event Sponsor — $1,000
🥇 Gold Event Sponsor — $2,500
🏆 Platinum Event Sponsor — $5,000
Community Co host opportunity call Kizzy Smith for details
Donations may be made through Zelle to FBYSC at 863-484-3251, or checks may be made payable to Forward Bound Youth Services.
Forward Bound Youth Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and eligible donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
We ask that donations be received by December 1 so that we have time to prepare for our December Toys4Joys celebration.
Whether you sponsor one child, donate a pallet of toys, sponsor an activity, become an event sponsor, or simply share our mission with someone who can help, you are becoming part of a child's Christmas story.
Five years of Toys4Joys would not be possible without people who believe, as we do, that every child deserves joy, hope, opportunity, and a reason to smile.
Together, we can build more than a snowman.
Together, we can build a smile.
Together, we can build a brighter tomorrow. ❤️☃️🎁

10/06/2026

💗 BE A BUDDY, NOT A BULLY
A Forward Bound Youth Services Community Initiative
In light of the recent concerns and conversations surrounding bullying within our Okeechobee County school community, Forward Bound Youth Services is launching the “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully” Campaign.
As an organization dedicated to ensuring every child and youth is Destined for Greatness, we believe we have a responsibility to do more than talk about bullying. We must help our children understand what kindness looks like, teach them how to stand up for one another, and make sure they know that asking for help is a sign of courage—not weakness.
Bullying is not simply a “school problem.” It is a community issue, and addressing it takes all of us—students, parents, teachers, school leaders, organizations, and community members.
That is why Be a Buddy, Not a Bully will focus on three important commitments: our Student Pledge, our Parent & Guardian Pledge, and our Teacher & School Staff Pledge. Each reminds us that we have a role in creating environments where children feel safe, heard, included, respected, and supported.
Our message to our young people is simple:

Be Kind.
Uplift Others.
Defend Someone Who Needs Help.
Don’t Join In.
You Can Make a Difference.

We are not launching this campaign to point fingers or place blame. We are launching it because one child hurting is one child too many, and meaningful change happens when a "COMMUNITY" decides to work together.
Okeechobee is our home. These are our children. Their emotional and physical safety must matter to all of us, it's that simple.
We invite our schools, educators, parents, businesses, churches, youth organizations, community leaders, and—most importantly—our young people to stand with us.

You can print.....
Sign the pledge.
Start the conversation.
Speak up when something isn't right.
Stop watching, step up.
Include the child standing alone.
Teach accountability.
Choose kindness—even when no one is watching.

Because sometimes being a buddy means sitting beside someone who feels alone. Sometimes it means telling an adult. Sometimes it means refusing to laugh or participate. And sometimes it simply means reminding another child:
“You matter, and you don't have to face this alone.”
BE A BUDDY, NOT A BULLY
Kindness in Action Starts With Me.
Forward Bound Youth Services
Ensuring Every Child/Youth is Destined for Greatness
Empowered Youth • Brighter Futures • Stronger Communities
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08/19/2026

We're starting our collection early this year for the 5th Toys4Joys Event that will take place in Okeechobee Florida. Please feel free on how you can join us in ensuring a child's dream comes true this year...

08/01/2026

We got our DJ locked in for the Destination for Greatness Back-2-School Event. Bring the kids out August 9th, 2026 next Sunday. It will be at the Douglas Brown Community Center.

08/01/2026

We want all of our supporters for helping us put on this event for the kids. We really appreciate it.

08/01/2026

08/01/2026

We've been working hard behind the scenes to put together this back to school event. Bring the kids out next Sunday, August 9th 2026 from 11am to 4pm.....

08/01/2026

If your looking for food assistance click on the link and scroll down to your county... ( OKEECHOBEE) is one of their stops for distribution of food. Follow instructions provided by Treasure Coast Food Bank.

https://stophunger.org/program/mobiledistributions/?fbclid=IwVERDUATa3YNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR7i-dNZWkJnukf8i4seUXZmw2vd4yt0w227Dn4TCOJV3ZeTWtWduUo8FpUMdg_aem_TbaDv1a2pKJdvlYjhuLxnA

Our Mobile Distribution Programs brings fresh, nutritious food directly to neighborhoods where access may be limited. Designed to reduce barriers to food […]

07/30/2026

Guess who just confirmed he will be pulling up with the new and improved game truck.... a Florida Mobile Gaming that's who....
Let's get excited....!!!