Friends of the Children - Tampa Bay

Save the Date for Giving Tuesday! On December 3rd, join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of children who need it most. Friends of the Children Tampa Bay is a long-term professional mentoring organization that serves children in need for 12+ years, no matter what. This year, for Giving Tuesday, we’re spotlighting our theme "The Power of One, The Power of Us" to highlight the profound impact one person can make, and how when we come together, our collective efforts multiply. With a matching gift in place, every dollar donated will be doubled, amplifying the difference we can make in the lives of the children we serve. The Power of One, The Power of Us: You can double the impact of your gift on Giving Tuesday thanks to a generous matching gift! Start today! https://lnkd.in/eGqP444C

Today, we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. At Friends of the Children, we recognize the strength and resilience our veterans show and the sacrifices they make for our freedom. Thank you to all veterans and their families for your dedication and courage. Your service inspires us as we continue our work to empower young people to overcome obstacles and thrive. #VeteransDay #FriendsOfTheChildren

??Student of the Month!!! "As a Friend, the most we can often hope for is that we impart on our youth the ability to make good decisions when we are not present with them to offer our direct guidance. I was made aware of several of these instances in the last month involving one of my young achievers. A bit of background is necessary – my youth has never known his biological father. His father was incarcerated when he was born. My youth lived with his grandmother until she passed away and he has been with his aunt (his father’s sister) for the last 8 years. His father recently got out of prison lives with my youth’s home now. His father also battles with schizophrenia, but initially seemed to be slowly building a bit of a healthy relationship with the youth. Recently, the youth shared with me that his father offered him some alcohol while at a family event. His aunt was not present. The youth said “no” and told me he doesn’t want to live like that. I gave him the opportunity to tell his aunt about it, which he did. She spoke with his father and told him not to undo all the progress we have made raising a teenager that has resisted these temptations so far. A week later, the youth informed me that his father has been coming home stoned and making the youth make him protein drinks and putting vodka in them. He told me and his aunt again that it makes him uncomfortable. His aunt moved the youth to another aunt’s home while she is away, to ensure his safety. While away, his father called him and asked if he could provide pee for him for a drug test. My young man hung up the phone and called me. It is heartbreaking that my youth was open to allowing a relationship build with his biological father. He has, however, made smart, difficult choices about communication and the use of drugs/alcohol. Amidst all this, he has still maintained an A/B GPA as a Junior in HS. I have no doubt that he will continue to remain strong with his virtues against drugs and temptation." -Friend, Ken

A huge thank you to our board members for their dedication during today’s retreat! Special thanks to Jessica Weaver for traveling from Austin, Texas, to lead us through insightful discussions and planning. We’re excited about the future we’re building together! Jessica Weaver Chris Horan Kristen Johnson Eleni Sakis Rachel Orth Daphne Miles Carmi Brown Beth McCarty Susan Riesdorph Byron Pressley Avril Stinson Gretchen Whalen Brandon Ghee Jessica Heck

What an incredible honor to celebrate Friends of the Children’s 30th anniversary alongside Duncan and Cindy Campbell and Simone Biles! We raised an amazing $3,000,000 to support youth for 12+ years, No Matter What. Reflecting on the last 30 years of impact, we’re excited for what’s to come in the next 30 at Friends of the Children and Friends of the Children - Tampa Bay

Executive Director, Jessica Heck with Friends of the Children - Tampa Bay was thrilled to have joined World Champion gymnast and youth advocate, Simone Biles at the premiere of her Netflix series finale, “Simone Rising: Part 2.” As a proud ambassador for Friends of the Children Simone embodies the spirit of mentorship and inspiration. As Netflix Director Katie Walsh noted, “Simone showed her authentic self while filming. What you see on the camera is who she is off the camera.” Thank you, Simone, for inviting us to celebrate your incredible journey both on and off the mat! #SimoneBiles #WorldChampionGymnast #YouthAdvocacy #Netflix #SimoneRising https://lnkd.in/eab3RTqu

We are incredibly grateful to former board member Johnny Bush for his ongoing support of Friends of the Children Tampa Bay! As the former principal of Plant High School, Johnny has been vital in strengthening our relationship with Hillsborough County Schools. His commitment ensures we can continue supporting our youth for 12+ years, No Matter What. Thank you, Johnny!

Happy National Boss’s Day! Today, we want to acknowledge Jessica Heck, who recently stepped into the role of Executive Director. We appreciate her leadership and are excited to continue working together to make a difference in our community! Thanks for all you do! ??

Help Families Rebuild and Thrive After the Storm In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, our families are facing immense hardships. Friends of the Children Tampa Bay is committed to standing by the children and families we serve, ensuring they have the support they need to recover and rebuild. These funds are dedicated to providing immediate relief to families affected by the recent hurricanes, ensuring they have the essentials to regain stability. Your support can help in the following impactful ways: ?Nourishing Families in Need: We are supplying meals and groceries to families who have lost access to basic necessities. ?Essential Support: We are providing financial assistance and support in navigating emergency services, ensuring families have a safe place to recover. ?Restoring Normalcy for Children: Our professional mentors are offering critical emotional and mental health resources to youth and their families who are experiencing distress from the storms. Your contribution during this critical time will make a meaningful impact on our families’ recovery. By supporting Friends of the Children, you are helping families rebuild their lives and offering children the stability they need to thrive once again. Together, we can provide relief, restore hope, and help our communities rebuild. Thank you for being part of this effort. To learn more or to make a donation, please click the link: https://lnkd.in/eU-wGMHi