CHS Blog
“I am a big advocate of mentoring because I grew up in the same populations I now serve. I know their struggle and can honestly say without my mentor, my life could have been completely different” – Joshua Sharpe, Expanded Learning Coordinator, Community Mentor serving Eccleston Elementary Studies show mentoring promotes positive self-esteem and encourages […]
The COVID pandemic brought struggles and a sense of helplessness to many individuals and families, including the Blackburn family. Terrance, a single father of three, felt alone and struggled to provide the support and encouragement that his children needed. His children each faced their own challenges – inability to connect with people, coping with the […]
“The [Simply Amazing] art boxes bring so much joy to children. It’s a great way to have parents bond with their children and also helps them work on developmental milestones along the way,” a CHS Healthy Families team member shares. “It’s fantastic to be able to provide all the materials a family needs to work […]
“I feel most proud of myself that I’m doing better in school,” LeighAnn, a fourth grade mentee explains. “I was shy without Ms. Connie and when someone would talk to me, I was quiet, but now I’m more confident talking to anyone.” LeighAnn and her mentor Connie are inseparable and even describe themselves as “peanut […]
Over the past ten years, through a long-standing relationship with Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS), CFL Pizza has raised more than $900,000 for children and families in Central Florida. CFL Pizza, LLC of Celebration Restaurant Group, owns and operates 101 Pizza Hut stores within Central Florida, and each store dedicates some of their time […]
“With almost 50 years of of family history with CHS, we look fondly upon the organization,” Joy, a CHS volunteer, shares. Joy and Sydney Ashlock — a mother and daughter duo — have a special place in their hearts for volunteering with CHS. Joy’s long passion for CHS began after her brother’s adoption through CHS. […]
PENSACOLA, Fla. — The United States Council on Homelessness says over 1,000 people who are homeless in Florida are young adults ages 18-24 living without families. Click the image below to watch. The Pensacola chapter of the Children’s Home Society of Florida is working to change that One of their programs, M-Power, provides housing for […]
Caroline, a single mother of one, struggled to keep a job to support her family. Deep in financial stress, she felt helpless. An immense lack of support left her isolated, anxious and disconnected from her son. Caroline longed to find stability in a job, build her self-esteem and be able to provide for her son, […]
Everyone volunteers for their own personal reasons. For James, it’s all about returning what he has received. He says, “So many people help me out, so it’s nice to feel good and see the smiles and joy on other people’s faces.” James and his grandmother, Jean, have been friends and volunteers of Children’s Home Society […]
This year, the holidays are going to look a little brighter for Brittney and her son Amari. After being separated for three years while Amari was placed in foster care, the family has been reunited and will spend the holidays together. Brittney grew up in a family where both parents suffered from addiction. Sadly, she […]
The joy of the holiday season is even more magical when you can experience it surrounded by the love of your family. Sadly, for survivors of abuse, the holidays can often be scarred by memories of fear, violence and hopelessness. When Kelsey – a young mom in Central Florida – came to Children’s Home Society […]
The 2021 holiday season will be especially bright for the Edwards family as they spend it together as an official forever family. Michael Edwards adopted siblings Neveah and Jayden from foster care earlier this year. Like many children in foster care, Neveah and Jayden experienced heartbreak and uncertainty in their search for stability. They moved […]
When April became a mom, she never dreamed her family could be wrapped up in the child welfare system. But without a positive parenting role model, April found herself repeating a cycle she herself endured as a child — and she knew she needed help. With Children’s Home Society of Florida’s (CHS) Parents as Partners […]
November is National Adoption Month – the perfect time to give thanks for adoptive families and shine a light on the children still waiting to find their forever homes. Michael and Savanna recently finalized the adoption of their twins – making this their first holiday season as an official family of nine! But this isn’t […]
After years in foster care, Liam and Nate finally have a forever home for the holidays. At just three and six-years old, Liam and Nate have spent most of their lives in foster care. Like many children in the child welfare system, their journey to adoption came with heartbreaking losses and the fear of uncertainty. […]
