As we rang in our 122nd year, we also hosted our 2024 virtual North Star Awards and iLEAD graduation, an opportunity to celebrate our amazing “do gooders” going above and beyond for the children and families they serve. It was an inspiring celebration, commemorating the impact, dedication and leadership of our teams statewide.

With over 50 North Star nominations received, this year the level of care, dedication, and perseverance shown by our winners is unprecedented! Congratulations to our 2024 North Stars:

 

Shaarnè Morris

2024 Child and Family Development North Star

 

  • Our 2024 Business Support North Star is Shaarnè Morris, our Development Manager from Greater Tallahassee. Out of all of our nominees, Shaarnè’s team highlights the unique and numerous ways she makes a difference in her community. In her everyday role at CHS, Shaarnè demonstrates flexibility, humility, and servant leadership. Her expertise behind the scenes is what allows for the everyday flow to happen within CHS. She single handedly allows for CHS to operate smoother, and her care and commitment to serving her community is felt throughout her entire team. The impact she has on her community is large, and we thank you so much for your commitment each and everyday!

Leonille Swinton

2024 Child and Family Development North Star

 

  • Our 2024 Child and Family Development North Star is Leonille Swinton, our Family Support and Engagement Specialist based in Greater Jacksonville. One of the most caring and genuine members of our team, Leonille embodies what it means to care about the work that you do. Her selflessness as shown through the daily tasks that she completes speaks volumes, and her teammates noticed, nominating her for this award. Your unwavering commitment and exceptional engagement every single day is why you DESERVE this award completely. YOU are the reason so many families have felt empowered to reach their goals. We thank you Leonille for all of your hard work!

Morgan Ryan

2024 Community Solutions North Star

 

  • Our 2024 Community Solutions North Star is Morgan Ryan, our Project Management Specialist based in our Home Office. Morgan is a passionate and motivated individual, completely deserving of this title. Her work behind the scenes comprises of assisting clients with a diverse range of situations and needs, to working with her team members to solve problems. One of her most notable accomplishments was playing a pivotal role in the New Worlds Reading Team, which strives to improve literacy among Florida students by providing families with the tools to read and grow at home. This program is a wonderful initiative Morgan, and we THANK YOU for all of your hard work in and out of the spot light!

Ayme Hadascok

2024 Behavioral Health North Star

 

  • Our 2024 Behavioral Health North Star is Ayme Hadascok, our Intake Coordinator in Greater Ocala. Ayme exemplifies the values of dedication, teamwork, and exceptional problem-solving skills. Her meticulous attention to detail, coupled with a strong moral compass, fosters an environment of trust and transparency within her teams. She is often regarded as the “glue” that holds the FIT teams together, playing a crucial role in their success. Her unwavering support and positive attitude not only boost her teams’ performance but also contributes to measurable, positive impacts on the community and the individuals she serves. THANK YOU Ayme for the incredible impact you make inside and outside of CHS!

Kimberly Bell

2024 Child & Family Well-Being North Star

 

  • Our 2024 Child & Family Well-Being North Star is Kimberly Bell, our Dependency Case Manager from the Greater Treasure Coast. Kimberly is a dedicated, kind, and hard-working case manager within the Child and Family Services program. Her approach is underpinned by empathy, positivity, and a genuine desire to help, leading to significant improvements in the families she serves. Her positive influence not only stabilizes individual households but also strengthens the community, demonstrating that with perseverance and support, families can overcome substantial obstacles. Finally, her unwavering dedication ultimately embodies the essence of compassionate case management, inspiring both her colleagues and the families she aids. Kimberly, YOU are SO deserving of this recognition, THANK YOU!

Stacey Rowe

2024 Leadership North Star

 

  • Our 2024 Leadership North Star is Stacey Rowe, our Clinical Program Director in Greater Daytona. In a shining example of leadership and dedication, Stacey embodies a steadfast commitment to uplifting her team and enhancing community health services. Her “whatever it takes” attitude fosters collaboration and inspires confidence, making her an integral part of numerous initiatives. Through her compassion, strategic thinking, and relentless support, she not only exemplifies the spirit of service but also prepares her team for future challenges, proving to be a beacon of hope and strength in times of change. THANK YOU, Stacey, for being the shinning light for your team and your community!

Samantha Ramcharan

2024 President’s Award Honoree

 

  • Our 2024 President’s Award honoree  is dedicated to Samantha Ramcharan, our Senior Project Manager based out of our Home Office. This special award presented by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Children’s Home Society of Florida Andry Sweet, is dedicated to a single person each year, whose dedication and hard work stands out from the crowd. Samantha is someone who plays a critical role behind the scenes in supporting our field. Her dedication to support One CHS with project management shines through her work and attitude towards everyday tasks, overcoming any obstacles along the way. In fact, while the UKG project was planned to take 9 months to complete, our 2024 honoree helped to lead the project team to Go-Live in a record 6 months! She never missed a beat and always made herself available to assist the project team when needed. Her commitment to the team, to the project and to our mission of GOOD can’t be missed. What a well deserved recognition. Congratulations Samantha!

 

And finally, we recognized the great work and leadership of our iLEAD Class of 2024. Commemorating the end of our CHS leadership program, our graduates’ futures are bright! Congratulations to each and every one of you.

  • Amaya Evans-Davis, Community Partnership School Director,  Greater Pensacola
  • Brittany Crook, Program Supervisor, Healthy Start, Greater Pensacola
  • Glenda Ingraham, Program Supervisor, Wraparound Services, Greater Pensacola
  • Jacqueline Cox, Community Wellness Center Director, Greater Daytona
  • Jamare Hall, Permanency Supervisor , Greater Miami
  • Jessie Garcia, Community Partnership School Director, Greater Tampa
  • Kenna Glover, Associate Director of Healthy Families Programs, Home Office
  • Latoya Flowers, Administrative Assistant , BRIDGES , Greater Palm Beach
  • Melissa O’Meara, Healthy Families Program Supervisor, Greater Ocala
  • Raymond Lisle, Benefits Specialist, Talent, Home Office
  • Sheba Gateau, Dependency Case Manager , Greater Miami
  • Stacie Panton, Senior Grant Writer, Grants, Home Office
  • Taisha Dickson, Infant Toddler Development Specialist, BRIDGES, Greater Palm Beach
  • Tani Thompson, Program Manager, Early Steps, Greater Tallahassee
  • Tavara Richard, Program Supervisor, Navigator Program,  Greater Pensacola
  • Teanna Lahens, Targeted Case Manager, Greater Orlando
  • Valerie Westgerdes, Family Services Planning Team Coordinator, Targeted Case Management, Greater Orlando
  • Vonche Jackson, Lead Youth Career Placement Coordinator, YouthWorks, Greater Pensacola