Children's Home Society of Florida

06/18/2026

Yesterday, families in our Central Florida community came together through our Healthy Families program for a Circle of Parents event focused on water safety, family enrichment, and community connection! 👶🏻🐬

Parents and caregivers received valuable safety information while children enjoyed engaging activities, and families had access to free clothing, toys, and other resources designed to help them succeed! 💪✅

Healthy Families is a voluntary, home-visiting program that helps parents build strong foundations for their children through education, support, and connections to community resources. By equipping families with the tools they need before challenges become crises, we help children grow up safe, healthy, and ready to thrive! ❤️

At Children’s Home Society of Florida, we know that strong families create stronger communities. Events like these happen all throughout the state, each and every day at Children’s Home Society of Florida, and are just one way we bring support, encouragement, and opportunities directly to the families we serve every day.

Learn more about Healthy Families and how we’re helping Florida families thrive on our website at chsfl.org

06/17/2026

As approaches, our Healthy Families Miami team brought families together for an afternoon filled with laughter, learning, and meaningful connection! 👨‍👧‍👦

Dads enjoyed activities designed to strengthen relationships and celebrate the important role fathers and father figures play in helping children grow, learn, and thrive.

At Children's Home Society of Florida, we know strong families are built long before a crisis occurs. Through our cradle-to-career continuum of services, we walk alongside children and families through every stage of life, providing support, resources, and opportunities that help them succeed. 🤝

Whether it's celebrating milestones, navigating challenges, or building everyday skills and connections, we're committed to being there for families every step of the way. These moments of connection are a reminder that when families are supported, children are empowered to reach their full potential and communities become stronger for generations to come. 🏡

🔗 Honor a father in your life with a dedication gift to CHS here: https://chsfl.org/ways-to-give/donate/

06/14/2026

is just one week away, and we're celebrating the fathers and father figures throughout Florida who help children dream bigger, grow stronger, and reach their full potential. ❤️

At Orange County Public Schools OCPS Academic Center for Excellence, A Community Partnership School, the Muffins with Men Fatherhood Program brought together fathers and father figures from every grade level for meaningful conversations, hands-on activities, and opportunities to strengthen family bonds. 👨From discussions on health and wellness to moments of laughter over a game of Operation, every interaction reinforced the power of showing up for a child.

The smallest moments often leave the biggest mark, creating lasting memories and meaningful connections that children carry with them for a lifetime. Through the model, children and families are surrounded by trusted adults, supportive relationships, and resources that help them thrive both in and out of the classroom.

This Father's Day, help us continue creating opportunities like these for children and families across Florida. Honor a father in your life with a dedication gift to CHS here: https://chsfl.org/ways-to-give/donate/

06/11/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Virginia Morey Rell Scholarship recipients! 🎓💛

Behind every scholarship is more than a financial award. It's a community saying, "We believe in you." It's an investment in potential, in perseverance, and in the dreams of young people who are ready to change the world.

We're especially proud that so many of this year's recipients attended one of Children's Home Society of Florida's Community Partnership Schools. That isn't just a statistic. It's a powerful reminder of what can happen when schools, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, businesses, volunteers, and countless community partners come together with one shared purpose: ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.

The Community Partnership School model is built on collaboration, and these students are living proof of its impact. Their achievements belong not only to them, but also to the educators who encouraged them, the partners who invested in them, the families who stood beside them, and the communities that never stopped believing in their futures.

Congratulations to:
✨ Keeari Moore
✨ Debora Noel
✨ Michaela McClue
✨ Kenly Chitty
✨ Mark Sumpter
✨ Rebecca Chapman
✨ Tyler Davies
✨ Taniyah Middleton
✨ Xavier Hill
✨ Jenna Schulz

To each of the scholarship recipients: your futures are bright, your communities are proud, and your journeys are just beginning. Thank you to every partner, supporter, and champion who helps make stories like these possible. Together, we're proving that when a community rallies around its children, there is no limit to what they can achieve. ❤️

06/10/2026

Here for Florida families. Since 1902. 📍

06/10/2026

Some milestones are years in the making… 🎓❤️

On Friday, our Healthy Families Seminole team celebrated its first program graduation in many years, honoring families who have dedicated themselves to building brighter futures for their children. We were proud to recognize every graduate for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment throughout their journey.

Behind every milestone is a team that never stops believing in the families they serve. Day after day, the Healthy Families Seminole team walks alongside parents through life’s challenges and victories, providing encouragement, resources, and support when it matters most. Their dedication helps create stronger families, healthier childhoods, and brighter futures.

A special thank you to Katria Haynes-Jenkins, Executive Director of Greater Central Florida, for sharing such inspiring words during the celebration. Parenting can be one of life’s greatest joys, but it can also come with challenges and uncertainty. As Katria shared, asking for help is often the hardest step, yet it is also one of the bravest. The families we celebrated demonstrated that courage by seeking support, investing in themselves and their children, and committing to a brighter future.

At Children's Home Society of Florida, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and earn, regardless of their circumstances. Through programs like Healthy Families, we are helping build strong foundations from the very beginning, empowering parents, strengthening families, and ensuring children have the support they need to thrive.

To our graduates, thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey. To our Healthy Families Seminole team, thank you for showing up every day with compassion, commitment, and hope. Together, you are helping create a future where every child has the opportunity to succeed.

06/09/2026

With approaching, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the fathers, father figures, mentors, and community champions who help children dream bigger and build brighter futures! 👨

At Bellview Middle School, A Community Partnership School in , the chapter, led by dedicated father and Team Captain Jeremy Ruffin, is creating meaningful opportunities for dads and families to connect, learn, and grow together. Through mentorship, shared experiences, and valuable parenting resources, fathers are strengthening relationships with their children while building a stronger community.

At Children's Home Society of Florida, we know that families are at the heart of strong communities. When parents and caregivers are engaged in their children’s lives, students are more likely to succeed academically, build confidence, and overcome challenges both inside and outside the classroom. Through initiatives like All Pro Dad and the Community Partnership School model, Children’s Home Society of Florida is helping ensure children and families have the support, connections, and resources they need to thrive, no matter their circumstances.

Thank you to Jeremy, the entire team at Bellview Middle, and all the fathers and father figures making a difference in the lives of children every day. 👏

To every dad doing their best, showing up, and leading with love: we see you, we’re here for you, and you’ve got this. 💪

06/04/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our 2026 Florida Senate Page Recipients! 🎉

Please join us in celebrating six outstanding students who were selected to participate in the 2026 Florida Senate Page Program, an opportunity that provides high school students with firsthand experience in Florida's legislative process and civic leadership.

⭐ Aubrey Sumner, Pine Forest High School - Pensacola, Florida, A Community Partnership School
⭐ Mia Celestin, Edward H. White High School, A Community Partnership School
⭐ Briyel Lambert, Jones High School - OCPS, A Community Partnership School
⭐ London Wright, Jones High School - OCPS, A Community Partnership School
⭐ Patrick Parrish, Jefferson County Schools K-12, A Community Partnership School
⭐ Elijah Elliot, KIPP Bold City High School (Behavioral Health Client)

At Children's Home Society of Florida, we believe every child deserves opportunities to learn, grow, and discover their potential. Experiences like the Senate Page Program help students build leadership skills, gain confidence, and see firsthand how they can make a difference in their communities.

A special thank you to our advocacy team for helping make this opportunity possible and for connecting students with real-world experiences that will stay with them for years to come.

We also extend our gratitude to Florida Senate President Ben Albritton and Senator LaVon Bracy Davis for taking the time to engage with and encourage these future leaders!

We are incredibly proud of each of these students and can't wait to see what they accomplish next! 👏

Interested in learning more about the Florida Senate Page Program? Visit: https://senatepages.flsenate.gov/

06/02/2026

Bridges at Northwood Raise Me Up Activity: Sorting Time
Today we explored fun sorting activities that support problem-solving, social, and fine motor skill development. Our families did a fantastic job working together and staying engaged!
We also enjoyed story time reading The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!

05/29/2026

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Ashley Lauren Offerdahl, whose compassion, joy, and love for others continue to shine through the lives she touched.

Ashley’s story began with adoption, when she joined the Offerdahl family at just six months old. Surrounded by love, she grew into a young woman who shared that love freely through service, mission work, and her heart for children and families. As a volunteer with Children’s Home Society of Florida, Ashley spent time mentoring a child who was navigating grief and hardship, offering care, connection, and hope when it was needed most.

Though Ashley’s time with us was far too short, her legacy continues to create spaces where children and families feel supported, seen, and surrounded by care.

In her memory, the Ashley Offerdahl Counseling Program carries forward her heart for healing. Through this program, children, teens, adults, and families across our region receive compassionate, trauma-informed support as they work through grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, family challenges, and other difficult seasons. It is a beautiful reflection of Ashley’s desire to make a difference and touch the lives of others.

We are deeply grateful to the Offerdahl family for allowing CHS to be part of Ashley’s enduring legacy. Because of their love, generosity, and commitment, Ashley’s light continues to bring comfort, care, and connection to families across our community.

Today, and every day, we remember Ashley. We honor her family. And we give thanks for a legacy of hope and healing that continues to help children and families pursue their dreams.

Ashley’s love continues to surround us, soft and enduring, like butterfly kisses on a quiet breeze.

05/07/2026

05/06/2026

✨ Staff Spotlight ✨

Meet Tyana Folston, Wellness Coordinator at Howard Bishop Middle!

Here are a few fun facts that make her shine:
💎 She loves collecting and making jewelry, creativity is always in style.
🐝 She’s a full-on bee enthusiast and has plenty of sweet facts to share.
🐾 She has a tuxedo (black and white) cat named Star

We love getting to know the amazing people who pour into our schools every day, Tyana is definitely one of those gems 💛

04/30/2026

Tuesday, The Children’s Trust of Alachua County stopped by to tour all three of our Gainesville schools, Howard Bishop Middle School, Rawlings Elementary, and Metcalfe Elementary.

Their support helps fund a wellness coordinator at each campus, making sure our students have the care, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive every single day. 💜

Grateful for partnerships that show up, invest, and make a real difference where it matters most.

04/21/2026

Does your child need glasses? We are offering free glasses to youth in Alachua county. Scan the QR code to fill out the form and a coordinator will contact you about scheduling.

04/15/2026

M. K. Rawlings Community Partnership School was honored to welcome its President and CEO, Andry Sweet, for a presentation and tour alongside Varnessa McCray from The Children's Movement of Florida. The visit provided a meaningful opportunity to highlight the impact of the school’s work and the power of strong community partnerships in supporting students and families.

The school also hosted the All Team Meeting for Alachua and Columbia Counties, creating a valuable space for team members to connect, collaborate, and reflect on the important work taking place across their communities.

Attendees heard updates from Andry Sweet and Tiffany Martin, whose leadership and vision continue to inspire and guide the work. The meeting also included a celebration of Team Member Appreciation Week, the sharing of key initiatives, and a renewed commitment to serving children and families.

M. K. Rawlings Community Partnership School extends its gratitude to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of the event and looks forward to continuing this important work together.

04/08/2026

⏳ 3 days to go! 🍽️🔥

The countdown is on, Chef’s Taste of Home is just 3 days away! Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with incredible chefs, amazing flavors, and a community coming together for a great cause.

There’s still time to grab your tickets, but don’t wait too long, you won’t want to miss this delicious night!

🎟️ Get your tickets here:
https://chsfl.org/events/chefs-taste-of-home/

Come hungry, bring your friends, and get ready to taste some of the best bites in town. We’ll see you there! 👨‍🍳✨

04/07/2026

A big thank you to **Greg**, host of *The Greg Tish Show*, for having us on to talk about **Chef’s Taste of Home**! 🎙️🍽️ We truly appreciate the opportunity to share about this special event and the impact it has on our community.

A special shoutout to our **Executive Director, Tiffany, and our Board Chair, Kelli**, who joined the show to talk about Chef’s Taste of Home and the exciting things ahead for this year’s event. We’re grateful for their leadership and passion for the mission.

If you missed the conversation, you can still catch the show here:
https://realtalk93.com/the-greg-tish-show/

And don’t forget — **tickets for Chef’s Taste of Home are still on sale!** Grab yours before they’re gone:
https://chsfl.org/events/chefs-taste-of-home/

Come hungry and ready for an evening of incredible food, amazing chefs, and a whole lot of community spirit. You won’t want to miss it! 👨‍🍳✨

03/30/2026

💙🤝 Community in Action! 🤝💙

Our amazing staff at Howard Bishop Middle School recently participated in the GatoRX Community Care Fair, connecting with families and sharing valuable resources with the community.

Events like this are a wonderful reminder of the power of partnership—bringing together schools, organizations, and community members to support the health and well-being of our families.

We’re so grateful for the dedicated staff who continue to show up, serve, and make a difference both inside and outside the school walls. Thank you for representing Howard Bishop with such heart! 💙🦅