With spring upon us, families eagerly anticipate trips to theme parks, summer camps, and other family outings that will likely create long-lasting and happy memories for years to come. For some children, however, the season won’t spring them into a family-based activity phase. Rather, the changing calendar will simply deliver more days in a parade of months filled with anger, violence, and trauma.

One of the most heartbreaking realities of child abuse is how insidiously it works its way into every facet of life. Childhood homes become impenetrable fortresses of rage and uncertainty. The very adults who are supposed to love and protect their children become dangerous strangers. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Thankfully, such children have a reason to hope thanks to the Children’s Home Society of Florida, comprised of 1,800 dedicated professionals serving every community in Florida through 15 primary locations and 90+ offices.

Founded in 1902, Children’s Home Society of Florida strives to break the cycle of child abuse in families by helping caring, committed families open their hearts and homes to children through foster care. Foster care offers a safe haven with trusted parents when children can’t live safely in their own homes. The arrangement is usually temporary, while moms and dads work through the challenges that threatened their children’s welfare within the home. Children often reside with foster families until it is safe for them to return home; or, if it is never safe to return, until an adoptive family welcomes them into their home forever.

Children’s Home Society celebrates foster families each May during National Foster Care Appreciation Month but, of course, foster parents help to break the cycle of abuse for more children in the community each and every day of the year. When it isn’t safe for a child to be at his/her home, foster families step in to provide care and comfort, to pack lunches, and to dry tears. Foster parents may care for children of any age — some welcoming newborns and others embracing teenagers. Recent changes to Florida law state that teens who would otherwise exit foster care at age 18 can now remain with foster parents until age 21, which translates into a better chance for these young adults to mature into successful and independent individuals.

There are thousands of children in foster care in Florida…all of whom have endured trauma and pain. “We meet children sometimes during the worst parts of their lives ─ in their most desperate hours. They didn’t choose to be here. When foster parents step in to help break the cycle of child abuse and neglect, it can truly make a difference in that child’s life,” says Tara Hormell, executive director of Children’s Home Society of Florida. Foster parents all share one thing in common: they are dedicated to protecting children in their community by opening their hearts and homes to the ones who need hope and healing.

Foster Families are Champions for Children

Annette

Annette Sims has always had a soft spot in her heart for children. Through her work as a Foster Care Licensing Supervisor for Children’s Home Society of Florida, she’s helped countless abused, neglected, and abandoned children in Central Florida. Continually, as she works with foster parents, she sees firsthand how integral these champions are in helping to break the cycle of abuse for infants, children, and teens.

Connecting children in need of safety, guidance, and stability with compassionate foster parents isn’t just her day job, but rather it’s also her personal passion as well. Annette spent years serving as a foster parent, explaining, “I like showing kids what a family is supposed to be…to give them some stability.” As a foster mom, Annette has cared for more than 50 children! For many of them, the stay was temporary until, eventually, they could safely return home. But four children who found their way into her heart and home stayed forever, as she adopted them to create her forever family. Johnny came first ─ straight from the neonatal unit. She held him through his drug withdrawals, a tragic legacy from his biological mother; and he’s been with Annette ever since. Then came Jayna, Deondrae, and Freddie. Clearly, Annette’s family has grown, but the difference she’s made in the lives of all of the children that she’s helped over the years is just as clear. “You want everybody to be part of a family,” she declared.

Bruce

Bruce Holmes and his wife, Kathie, have been longtime advocates for children in Central Florida.  As the local board chair for Children’s Home Society of Florida, Bruce’s leadership has helped to create The Faine House, a residential home for teens who have exited foster care without families. As WELBRO Building Corporation’s president and COO, he was an instrumental resource during the construction phrase of the project. He and Kathie believe that all children should have opportunities to lead successful, independent lives — and if they aren’t able to do it with the help of a family, then Bruce and Kathie trust that Children’s Home Society of Florida is ready to support them on their individual journeys toward independence.

Beyond their commitment to The Faine House, Bruce and Kathie have made an immeasurable difference through years as a foster family for three special children. The experience has helped shape not only their own lives as foster parents but, of course, also the lives of the children that they saved.

Briana was just days old when Bruce and Kathie welcomed her into their home. She was in the throes of drug withdrawal and, as Bruce and Kathie rocked and comforted her, they began to realize how easy it was to fall in love with her. “You can’t differentiate your love for a child,” Bruce says. “It doesn’t matter if she’s your biological child or not.” Two more children, brothers Isaiah and Noah, soon came into their lives as well. Isaiah arrived first, after his teenage mother struggled to care for him. While Bruce and Kathie cared for him, they encouraged his mother as she worked hard to reunite with Isaiah. Though Isaiah did in fact return home to his birth mother for a short while, providing for a baby proved to be too much, and Isaiah soon rejoined Bruce and Kathie as a permanent family member. When Isaiah’s birth mother became pregnant again, Kathie reached out to her with support and encouragement and, at one point, Kathie was the only visitor the birth mother had when she faced a serious illness that required hospitalization. After baby Noah was born, he too joined the Holmes to make their family complete.

What does Children’s Home Society of Florida do?

• Serves more than 90,000 children & families throughout the state.
• Breaks the cycle of child abuse in more families.
• Heals the pain of children who’ve been hurt.
• Finds forever families for children in need.
• Prepares teens for adulthood when they exit foster care without families.
• Helped more than 9,000 children & families in Central Florida last year alone.

Child Abuse Facts

• Every 47 seconds, a child in the U.S. suffers abuse or neglect.¹ 
• More than 650,000 children endure abuse or neglect every year.¹
• Infants & toddlers are the most likely to experience abuse or neglect.¹
• Florida’s Abuse Hotline receives more than 175,000 calls annually.²
• Child abuse and neglect cost the nation $220 million each day.³
• 1-in-3 child abuse victims will eventually abuse their own children.³

• Children’s Defense Fund, childrensdefense.org. 2. Florida Child Abuse Death Review Annual Report, 2012, flcadr.org. 3. Prevent Child Abuse America, preventchildabuse.org.

FAQ on Foster Parenting 

What exactly is “foster care”?

When children can’t live safely with their own families, they enter foster care, often joining a foster family with particular strengths that will best fit their needs. Our community’s children come from diverse backgrounds and have experienced different levels of trauma, so several types of foster homes are needed. Many are considered “traditional” foster homes, but some children have complex or specific medical needs, which a special, medically focused foster home is best suited to heal.

What’s the first step to becoming a foster family?

Attend a free informational orientation. After that, you’ll complete 30 hours of free training to learn how to  provide excellent care to children in need. You’ll also participate in background screenings, reference checks, and an in-depth home study to make sure you’re well-prepared for fostering. Children’s Home Society of Florida will walk you through the entire process.

What do you mean by background screening?

The safety and wellbeing of children is our #1 priority, so any family interested in fostering will undergo a thorough background check. We must ensure that there aren’t any disqualifying criminal offenses.

Are there age or health requirements?

Yes, you must be at least 21 years old and in good health.

Why support Children’s Home Society of Florida?

We’ve been caring for kids for more than a century. We know and appreciate how committed our foster families are and that’s why we’re with them every step of the way. Through ongoing monthly trainings and activities and thanks to a dedicated staff that can walk you through questions, we are proud to be a great resource for anyone interested in becoming a foster parent.

I’m interested. Where can I learn more?

Visit CHSfl.org/Fostering or call (407) 262-7688.

This special section is proudly supported by The Limu Company.