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Florida’s Children First to Host Palm Beach Event Honoring Community Heroes Committed to Helping Foster Children; CBS 12’s Liz Quirantes, Jim and John Walsh Among Honorees

October 1st, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Florida’s Children First (FCF) will recognize Palm Beach County individuals for their tireless efforts to advocate for the state’s most vulnerable citizens at its annual Palm Beach Reception Oct. 4 at the Phillips Point Club in West Palm Beach. FCF is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting foster children and other at-risk youth.

Dozens of Palm Beach County’s prominent business and community leaders, as well as individuals and families concerned about Florida’s foster care youth, are expected to attend to support the organization and its worthy cause.

This year’s Palm Beach Children’s Advocates are Jim and John Walsh, co?supervisers of the Foster Children’s Project of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.  Jim and John helped create the project, which represents foster children with a focus on permanency.

Prominent news woman of the Palm Beaches Liz Quirantes of WPEC CBS 12 has been selected the Palm Beach Media Advocate for 2012. Liz is passionate about advocating for children’s needs and a great supporter of Forever Family, a non-profit organization that advocates for youth in foster care with a goal of connecting a foster child with a family. Every Tuesday at 5 p.m. on CBS 12, Liz brings viewers a Forever Family story, spotlighting one child at a time.

Additionally, Francis Jeune and Na’Kira Hodges will serve as this year’s Youth Advocates. Francis, who entered foster care in June 2007 at the age of 13, always set a positive example. He was a model resident at the Haven and earned the “Outstanding Resident” of his Cottage award on several occasions. He is also a member of Florida Youth SHINE, a statewide youth driven, peer led organization that empowers current and former foster youth to become advocates for all youth in care.

Na’Kira Hodges’s story of determination after aging out of foster care is the reason for her nomination. She aged out without a High School diploma or driver’s license and quickly became homeless. However, through all of her struggles she preserved and is now secretary of the Palm Beach Florida Youth SHINE chapter.

Florida’s Children First holds similar events around the state, including upcoming events in Orlando on October 17, 2012 and in Jacksonville on November 15, 2012. For more information on these upcoming events or to learn more about FCF please call 954-796-0860 or email fcf@floridaschildrenfirst.org. You can also visit www.floridaschildrenfirst.org.

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About Florida’s Children First:

Florida’s Children First, Inc. (FCF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the legal rights of at – risk children, especially those in Florida’s foster care system.  FCF gives these children a powerful voice before all levels of government, including the court system if needed.  FCF was founded by child advocates from around the state so that efforts can be coordinated, strengthened and built into a powerful statewide force for Florida’s children.

Media Contact: / Michelle Friedman of Boardroom Communications, Inc. at 904-641-3226 or mfriedman@boardroompr.com

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