What is FCA?

Child Advocacy Blog

Search

Archive for the ‘Florida Youth Shine’ Category

Florida’s Children First to Honor Broward’s Top Advocates for Children on March 7

February 23rd, 2023   No Comments   Advocacy, Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First

Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning non-profit organization that has been the voice of at–risk children and youth in Florida, will recognize truly remarkable child advocates and former foster youth at FCF’s 21st annual Broward County Advocates for Children Awards, held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on March 7.

This is one of the largest events FCF hosts each year, recognizing the accomplishments of community leaders in Broward who support its mission of making positive changes in the lives of children. Joe Johnson, NPR and Beatles Brunch radio host, will return as the event’s emcee with an expected attendance of 300 supporters including community leaders, former honorees, and individuals who are committed to helping Florida’s children.

(more…)

Florida’s Children First Celebrates 20th Anniversary

April 7th, 2022   No Comments   Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First, Foster Care

Twenty years ago, child advocates from across the state who were individually working on issues affecting Florida’s most vulnerable children came together with the idea that we could collectively make a greater impact. We ran the gamut in perspective — coming from private practice, businesses, law school clinics, and legal aid organizations —but we were united in our mission to achieve greater reform in the systems that affect children.

Our vision in founding Florida’s Children First was to use a broad range of advocacy strategies to improve the lives of children served by the state.  We believed that the effective implementation of public policy could lead to improve the lives and outcomes for children throughout our state. Twenty years later, I can say proudly that we have made great strides – but our work is far from over.

We worked hard to increase the number of children in state care who have their own attorneys, and to improve the quality of representation provided by all attorneys in the system. We’re also a leader in training all child welfare stakeholders on the laws that are intended to protect and benefit children. But we don’t just educate people about the law, we help make the law better for children.

(more…)

Florida’s Premiere Youth Advocacy Organization Brings Celebrity Chef Experience To Its Supporters For An Evening To Benefit Kids In And Aging Out Of Foster Care

February 19th, 2021   No Comments   Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First

Florida’s Children First’s Virtual Culinary Experience Hosted by Food Network Favorite

Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at–risk children and youth in the foster care system, is hosting Cooking for the Kids with Chef Rome on March 10, 2021 at 6 p.m. This virtual event will feature a cooking demonstration with Chef Rome and his celebrity pals in the sports and showbiz world. It also provides a safe venue for FCF to raise critical funds that support their mission of helping kids in and aging out of foster care, many of whom have been dramatically impacted by the pandemic.

(more…)

Florida’s Children First Invites Supporters to Virtually Escape to Napa: State Attorney’s Office Communications Officer Grayson Kamm to Emcee

November 5th, 2020   No Comments   Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First

FLORIDA’S PREMIERE YOUTH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION OFFERS A UNIQUE WAY FOR TAMPA BAY AREA PATRONS TO SIP, SUPPORT OR SAY “THANK YOU” WITH A SPECIAL GIFT THAT SUPPORTS THEIR CRITICAL WORK


Tampa, Fla. – Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at-risk children and youth in the foster care system, is hosting the CHILL Virtual Wine Tasting fundraiser on Thursday, December 3, 2020 from 6 to 7 p.m. As part of its annual Greater Tampa Bay area fundraiser, patrons will enjoy a safe, socially distanced and fun way to “escape” from their local surroundings for a bit, while affording FCF the opportunity to raise funds and educate supporters on their mission of helping kids in and aging out of foster care.

(more…)

Florida’s Children First Brought Napa to South Florida with “CHILL” Virtual Fundraiser

August 24th, 2020   No Comments   Advocacy, Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First

Florida’s Premiere Youth Advocacy Organization Went Virtual to Help Youth in Foster Care

Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at–risk children and youth in the foster care system, recently hosted its first virtual fundraiser for its supporters in Miami. As we all continue to navigate the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, FCF brought individuals together virtually to raise funds to support their critical work with foster youth, many of whom have been dramatically impacted by the pandemic.

(more…)

Op Ed: Coronavirus Changes are Everyday Life in Foster Care

May 7th, 2020   No Comments   Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First, Foster Care

Sadly, many of the challenges we are all facing during this pandemic are similar to what children in foster care experience every day. Hear firsthand from Florida Youth Shine advocate Jessica Overstreet in this op ed from Fostering Families Today magazine.

Click here to read more.

Florida’s Children First’s 17th Annual Broward Reception Celebrates the Voice of the Youth and the Legacy of Skip Campbell

March 13th, 2019   No Comments   Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First

Florida’s Children First (FCF), the statewide advocacy organization focused on protecting the legal rights of at-risk and foster care children, recognized child advocates and former foster youth in Broward County at FCF’s 17th Annual Broward Child Advocacy Reception, held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 21, 2019.

More than 250 individuals, including child advocates, elected officials, judges, community and business leaders, and other persons concerned about the future of Florida’s children, were in attendance. This event shined a spotlight on the power of youth advocacy, including powerful speeches from several members of Florida Youth SHINE, a statewide organization founded by FCF that empowers current and former foster youth to become advocates for all youth in care. The evening also featured a special tribute to the legacy of the Honorable Skip Campbell including his work with FCF, his achievements as a Senate leader, and his passion for helping children in need.

(more…)

Florida Foster Child Abuse Lawyer Howard Talenfeld Receives UM Law Alumni Achievement Award

March 25th, 2016   No Comments   Adoption, Education Issues, Florida Youth Shine

More than 150 local attorneys and officials were in attendance this week to celebrate the awarding of the University of Miami Law Alumni Association’s Alumni Achievement Award to Howard M. Talenfeld. A leading Florida foster care abuse attorney and life-long advocate for children’s rights, Talenfeld was recognized for his tireless efforts on behalf of society’s most vulnerable citizens.

The award was presented by Fort Lauderdale attorney and 2015 award recipient Bruce Lyons, Miami attorney and president of the Law Alumni Association Edward R. Shohat, and University of Miami School of Law Dean Patricia D. White.

“Howard was a natural for this award. We’re very proud of his pioneering work for children’s causes,” said Shohat. “The association represents over 30,000 alumni around the world, and Howard is an excellent ambassador for the school.”

(more…)

Fort Lauderdale Event to Celebrate Florida’s Foster Children and Advocates

February 22nd, 2016   No Comments   Advocacy, Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First, Foster Care

This Thursday, dedicated South Florida child advocates who fight to protect the state’s most vulnerable foster children and at-risk kids will gather for the Broward Child Advocacy Awards & Reception supporting Florida’s Children First, the state’s leading child advocacy organization.

The event will be held at The Riverside Hotel (620 East Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, 33301) on Thursday, February 25 from 5:30pm- 7:30pm.

Register here. Sponsorships are still available.

(more…)

Success Stories of Florida Youth Shine’s Former Foster Children

February 19th, 2016   No Comments   Adoption, Advocacy, Florida Youth Shine

In its 10 years serving Florida’s at-risk foster children, Florida Youth Shine has helped thousands of current and former foster children find their way – and serve as examples for other kids going through the state child welfare system. One such success story is Janice Goldsberry.

Janice with FYSNow 22 years old, Janice was in foster care for 11 years, from the age of 7 until she “aged out” at 18. She was often separated from her two siblings, had been in 15 homes that she can recall, 11 middle and high schools, and was the victim of the emotional trauma common to foster children.

Though her feelings of emotional neglect and depression continue, Janice still is a success story.

(more…)

Florida’s Children First to Honor ‘Youth Advocate of the Year’ on Feb. 26 in Fort Lauderdale

February 9th, 2016   No Comments   Advocacy, Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First

Tiervondria “Tia” McCall is an amazing, and inspiring young lady, even though she struggled with stability and safety for most of her life. She will be honored as the Youth Advocate of the Year at the Florida’s Children First Broward Child Advocacy Awards & Reception. The event will be held Thursday, February 25, 2016, from 5:30pm- 7:30pm at The Riverside Hotel (620 East Las Olas Blvd.) in Fort Lauderdale.

Click here to register or learn more.

Tia and her brother lived with her mother and stepdad until the age of eight. After her stepdad died she was separated from her brother but eventually reunited in the care of her brother’s grandmother, until the age of 17.

Throughout this time, Tia suffered from verbal and physical abuse often witnessing drug use in her home. She could have easily taken the wrong path but she focused her time and effort working hard in school for a better life for herself and her younger brother.

Today, she is the model of success. For the past five years, Tia has grown to be an amazing leader in Florida Youth SHINE, having become the youngest president of a Florida Youth SHINE chapter at age 15. She has served as President of the Broward chapter for the past three years and has lead, recruited and impacted youth around the state.

She is now 18 years old, a freshman at Broward College studying Criminal Justice, works part-time and interns at Florida’s Children First.

Join Tia and other honorees who do so much for Florida’s abuse and injured children. Honorees include Champion for Children Dr. Frederick Lippman; and Child Advocates of the Year Stuart Singer & Carl Goldfarb with law firm Boise Schiller & Flexner.

Florida Youth Shine Reaches 10 Year Milestone

January 18th, 2016   No Comments   Advocacy, Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First, Foster Care

Florida’s Children First (FCF) proudly celebrates 10 years of Florida Youth SHINE Advocacy! After FCF was established in 2002, Florida Youth SHINE was formed so that foster children could tell their stories and advocate for legislative change.

For the past ten years Florida Youth SHINE, a statewide organization now consisting of more than 200 former and current foster children, has been advocating around the state and in the Florida Legislature, for positive change to the system of care by using their experience and stories. In 2005, Florida’s Children First, a statewide group of child advocates (www.floridaschildrenfirst.org)  created Florida Youth SHINE because it believed that the youth are the experts and when making decisions about youth and it is critical to have a youth voice at the table. Florida Youth SHINE empowers their members to identify and share the issues they experienced and work for solutions through advocacy. One of the ways they do this is by educating others about the issues and improvements that need to be made.

(more…)

« Older Entries