Latest Division News - Children's Home Society of Florida

October 2011

Beautiful dresses for beautiful girls

A big thanks to the Lakeland community for providing nearly 100 dresses, shoes, accessories and jewelry for girls who wanted to attend their Homecoming dance but did not have the financial resources to buy a new dress! Thanks to the generosity of those who donated, the girls were able to “shop” for a dress in our office and find dresses to help them make a memorable night!

We plan to store the dresses and use them again for upcoming formal events, dances and prom season, helping girls living in out-of-home care who simply want to feel as beautiful as we know they are!

If you would like information on how you can help with projects like this, please email Andrea Shirey or call 863-413-3126.

September 2011

Greater Lakeland Division officially open!

We’re pleased to share that Children’s Home Society of Florida’s growth has led us to open the Greater Lakeland Division to serve children and families in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. While these counties were previously part of our Gulf Coast Division, we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to more closely focus on the children and families in “the Heart of Florida” so we may continue to meet growing and changing needs in our community.

Our rich history in this area actually began in 1927 when generous donors established a home in Polk County to find loving adoptive parents for children whose own families were unable to care for them. Changing times eventually decreased the need for our services in this region, and good stewardship of contributed resources demanded more efficiency, prompting us to integrate local services into the Gulf Coast Division.

However, over the past decade, the need for our services in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties has continued to grow, and we now serve thousands of children and families annually throughout this tri-county region. Children who have suffered abuse or neglect rely on us for safety, healing and hope, and youth who long for the stability and love of a “forever family” look to us to make their dreams come true through adoption.

We’re excited to intensify our focus on serving children and families in the Greater Lakeland area, and we look forward to further connecting with you so, together, we may help more children grow up safe, healthy and prepared for life.

Kind Regards,

Eliza McCall-Horne
Executive Director - Greater Lakeland

No clients shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Clients needing accommodations for a disability and/or clients with special communications needs should contact their Children’s Home Society of Florida worker or make their request for accommodation at the time of admission into a Children’s Home Society of Florida program.

CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA, REGISTRATION #CH180, IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE UNDER THE SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.