Patti Owens Memorial Fund
Providing funding for children’s reunification services in Toby Center service regions so that their parents will have needed financial and operational support to improve child outcomes.
Description
Patti Owens (1949-2020) was a mentor and Guardian Ad Litem who eagerly offered advice and guidance to children and teens impacted by family and financial challenges. Fund proceeds are unallocated and used to provide tools as books and educational resources for separated and divorced parents, and to also financially strengthen the Toby Center to enable effective administration and operations.
As a former Guardian Ad Litem and mentor of several young high school students, Patti impressed me from the moment I met her, and was welcomed by her large smile and larger than life, gregarious personality.
I’ve known Patti and family members since founding the Toby Center in Boynton Beach, Florida in 2010. While searching for a venue to hold our first press conference, our landlord introduced me to Patti who was serving as President of the Boynton Beach Women’s Club, a landmark organization in South Florida. As two displaced Yankees now living in Palm Beach County, Patti and I became instant friends. She offered the funky, old Boynton Woman’s Club building for our first press conference.
Subsequently, Patti shared her corporate acumen with me, guiding me in structuring the Toby Center and building it in a professional business manner. Patti volunteered herself to a year of working at the Toby Center, enjoying the many interns from area colleges who helped create marketing and public relations tools. She became an instant confidante to these students, offering her knowledge and guidance to help them build confidence and capability. Patti brought pride of work, focus and purpose to all of us.
When I became fixated on creating a Family Harvest Festival just weeks before my favorite holiday, Halloween, Patti immediate offered the Boynton Beach Woman’s Club for this event.
It remains our most successful and enjoyable time. Even during an oppressive thunderstorm, which lent itself to the New England Fall which I missed so very much!
Personally, Patti became my big sister, offering advice and encouragement in so much of my life. She sold me my first home in Florida, and helped me entertain guests there for many years for Thanksgiving and my Passover holiday. I was invited repeatedly to her parent’s home in Fort Lauderdale to view the annual Winterfest Boat Parade which we could enjoy viewing from their backyard.
As a former Guardian Ad Litem for foster care children, and as both a formal and informal mentor to many young people, as a single mother, and as a product of divorce when a young teenager, Patti’s name is most appropriate for this fund. I believe that my dear and beloved friend, Patti would want me to honor her as the Toby Center goal is to improve child outcomes when parents separate.
I pray that this fund will add to Patti’s legacy and she will continue to inspire many through this fund.
Thank you for your contribution!
Dr. Mark David Roseman
