CHS Blog
Sad but true: Poverty is a reality far too many families face. Before children in poverty even step foot in a classroom, most are already playing catch-up. Too many begin kindergarten not ready for school and, by the time they reach fourth grade, 50% of those children will not be reading at grade level. Sadly, […]
Not far from bustling downtown Tampa and just west of University of South Florida, there is a transformative movement happening — one that is changing lives, strengthening families and rarely getting the attention it deserves. In Hillsborough, a county where 12 percent of the population lives in poverty, a startling 30.4 percent are at or […]
“Counseling has helped me a lot. Its like all the rainy cloud above my head disappeared and its all sunshine now.” Sadie, a senior at one of our community partnership schools, was struggling so much in class that she was risking graduation. Her anxiety – primarily rooted in strained family relationships – was on overdrive […]
Different cultures believe the sunflower is a symbol of anything from positivity and strength to admiration and loyalty. Jennifer Stenger, a Case Manager with Children’s Home Society of Florida, recently shared how sunflowers became a symbol of connection, commitment and success in her work to serve children. “When I met Amie*, she would not speak […]
“Healthy Families has helped me a lot — with information, diapers, things for my baby — it also helped me emotionally,” shares Serena, a mother of three. Serena was deep in financial stress and felt alone with no one to turn to. She wanted to provide the best for her children, but she struggled to […]
“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 […]
