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CHS Blog

Impact in Action

From uplifting family journeys to innovative community partnerships, our blog highlights the progress, purpose, and people powering our mission.

Summer Reading Challenge

Student Spotlight:  7-year-old Joey had one goal this summer: read a book and complete an activity packet so he wouldn’t fall behind … he wanted to be “top of his class!” when school started again. He didn’t just meet this goal – he crushed it! With a focus on expanded learning, Manatee Elementary, A Community […]

The one thing 2020 got right

The coronavirus pandemic created new challenges for families adopting children from foster care this year with courthouse closures, disrupted schedules and a shift from in-person to virtual adoption ceremonies. Despite these hurdles, 157 children in Central Florida were welcomed into their forever families through adoption this year with CHS — exceeding the adoption team’s goal. Families […]

Mentoring Matters : Amarni and Michael

“Hi, my name is Amarni and I’m from Jamaica. I came here when I was 10. I got taken away from my mom a month later and went through the foster care system for eight years. At the end — when I was 17 turning 18 — I met my mentor. He is the coolest […]

Frankie’s Essay

Frankie and his family are survivors of domestic violence. As the Coronavirus spread across Frankie’s local community, he noticed many people were experiencing anxiety – something he has been coping with since his abuse. He told his counselor with the Children’s Home Society of Florida he wanted to help others understand and overcome their anxiety […]

Doing GOOD for Families During COVID-19

In January, mom was promoted to Assistant Manager. She was so excited, she called me to share the good news. In March, mom was laid off due to COVID-19. It was heartbreaking. A single mom with three children, she was struggling to put food on the table. Our Community Partnership School team at Howard Bishop […]

Children’s Home Society of Florida appoints new regional executive director in Northeast Florida

Jacksonville, Fla. (July 6, 2020) — Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS), the state’s largest provider of services to children and families, has named Ernest Hamilton its new regional executive director serving Greater Northeast Florida. Overseeing the First Coast, Gainesville and down through Volusia County, Hamilton will lead operations and business development, focusing on CHS’ […]

Grad Spotlight: Joshua Oberes

“CHS helped to open my mind and helped me when considering what I should do [with my future] and what I can do to impact the people around me.” For Joshua, who was homeschooled until his freshman year, attending Edward H. White Academy of Leadership, A Community Partnership School was a bit of a “culture […]

Grad Spotlight: Rebecca Boreland

“Every child should have the same resources, opportunities and privileges to be what they want to be. Your background, race, economic status and the neighborhood you grew up in does not make you any greater or less – every child can succeed despite the barriers in their way.” Rebecca Boreland, an ambitious nursing student, credits […]

Grad Spotlight: Sephora Zephyr

“I am especially grateful for being funded by CHS because I am adopted and I felt really moved knowing there is an entire organization devoted to helping children who come from a similar background like me. It makes me feel supported and loved knowing there are other people who are able to get help because […]

Where I stand … and where CHS stands

A message from Andry: The horrific, tragic death of George Floyd again exposed the reality of the inequities faced by Black men, women and children in America. Systemic racism is prevalent in our society, and events happening today underscore the re-traumatization that occurs in the Black community whenever another father, mother, husband, wife, son, or daughter […]

Grad Spotlight: Angena Mathurin

“My connection with the Student Leadership Council and the Hub at Evans has reminded me that I have people behind me, who support me – we all have a similar goals for what we imagine for our community. It gave me confidence knowing that it is not just me that wants to improve the community, […]

Grad Spotlight: Tim Only

“I have always lived by the saying ‘stars cannot shine without darkness.’ The people I have met at CHS helped me turn on my light so I was able to shine through the darkness to get through those tough patches in life.” Tim Only, a rising senior at Florida State University, says he will always […]

Grad Spotlight: Congratulations, Decorey!

Decorey — a 2020 graduate from Evans High School, A Community Partnership School — is the first member of his family to receive a high school diploma and accept admission into college! Throughout his high school education, Decorey and his family found support through the Community Partnership Schools model at Evans — affectionately called “The […]

State Rep. Josie Tomkow recognized by Children’s Home Society of Florida

Last week, Children’s Home Society of Florida — the state’s largest provider of services to children and families — named State Representative Josie Tomkow the 2020 Legislator of the Year for her commitment to strengthen the child welfare system and improve lifetime outcomes for children. Tomkow’s District 39 includes Polk City, Auburndale, portions of northeast […]

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