Children's Home Society of Florida

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Children's Home Society of Florida Every Child. Every Dream. Every Future. We are an organization dedicated to disrupting generational cycles of poverty and child maltreatment.

What does it mean to "do good" for children and families? It means opening doors to new opportunities. Empowering children, teens and families to find -- and build upon -- strengths so they may rise above challenges and circumstance ... so they may realize their full potential. No other organization has the size, scope or depth of innovative solutions that dramatically change the futures of children. Together, we do good, because good CAN be done.

✨ We are thrilled to welcome our Honorary Chairs for the 22nd Annual Soundside Splendor! ✨Please join us in recognizing ...
10/08/2026

✨ We are thrilled to welcome our Honorary Chairs for the 22nd Annual Soundside Splendor! ✨

Please join us in recognizing Tom and Beverly Vaughn as the 2027 Soundside Splendor Honorary Chairs.

Tom and Beverly have long been champions of our community, demonstrating a commitment to helping others and creating opportunities for children and families to thrive. Their leadership and support make an incredible difference, and we are honored to have them serve in this special role as we prepare for another unforgettable Soundside Splendor.

Thank you, Tom and Beverly, for helping us advance the mission of Children's Home Society of Florida and inspire others to invest in brighter futures for children and families across Northwest Florida.

We can't wait to celebrate alongside you on May 2, 2027!

💙 A costume. A bag of candy. A moment of belonging.Every child deserves the chance to experience the simple joys of chil...
10/08/2026

💙 A costume. A bag of candy. A moment of belonging.

Every child deserves the chance to experience the simple joys of childhood. When you support our Costumes & Candy Drive, you're helping create special moments for children and families right here in your community. And if you need a reminder of the impact, just look at these smiles from last year's celebrations.

Learn how to get involved: https://chsfl.org/get-involved/volunteer/

🌟 Meet the leadership team behind the 22nd Annual Soundside Splendor! 🌟It takes a dedicated group of community leaders, ...
10/08/2026

🌟 Meet the leadership team behind the 22nd Annual Soundside Splendor! 🌟

It takes a dedicated group of community leaders, volunteers, and advocates to bring Soundside Splendor to life each year, and we are honored to introduce the team helping lead the way in 2027.

Please join us in thanking:

⭐ Cathy Butler, Event Chair
⭐ Jessica Jensen, Event Vice Chair
⭐ Jennifer Smith, Immediate Past Chair
⭐ Denis McKinnon III, Sponsorship Chair
⭐ Abbie Offerdahl, Food & Beverage Chair
⭐ Chris Tolan, Silent Auction Chair
⭐ Gary Michaels, Publicity Chair
⭐ Blake Campbell, Live Auction/Chance Drawing Chair
⭐ Jordan McKinnon, Décor Chair

Their commitment, creativity, and passion will help make the 22nd Annual Soundside Splendor a memorable evening supporting the work of Children's Home Society of Florida and the children and families we serve.

Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and leadership to help build brighter futures across our community.

⚠️ Hurricane Isaias Office Closure Update ⚠️ Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our team members, families...
10/08/2026

⚠️ Hurricane Isaias Office Closure Update ⚠️

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our team members, families, and community, Children's Home Society of Florida's Pensacola and Emerald Coast offices will close today at 12:00 p.m. and remain closed through Friday as we continue to monitor Hurricane Isaias.

If you are currently receiving services through CHS and need support during this time, please contact your case manager directly.

We encourage everyone to follow local emergency guidance, make preparations as needed, and stay safe. We will share additional updates as they become available.

Our thoughts are with all those in the path of the storm. 💙

5 favorite things we did in D.C. this week to advocate for kids 💙✔️ Shared what we're seeing in communities across Flori...
10/07/2026

5 favorite things we did in D.C. this week to advocate for kids 💙

✔️ Shared what we're seeing in communities across Florida
✔️ Elevated the voices of children and families
✔️ Highlighted programs and partnerships making a difference
✔️ Built relationships with leaders shaping the future
✔️ Continued a tradition of advocacy that's been part of CHS for nearly 125 years

As we approach our 125th anniversary, we're grateful for opportunities to educate, collaborate, and ensure the needs of children and families remain at the center of important conversations.

Thank you to Florida's congressional delegation and their staff for welcoming CHS leadership to Washington, D.C., this week.

Every child. Every dream. Every future. 💙

The future is so, so bright! 🎓 Our Teen Outreach Program (TOP) celebrated graduating seniors during Senior Send-Off, hon...
10/05/2026

The future is so, so bright! 🎓

Our Teen Outreach Program (TOP) celebrated graduating seniors during Senior Send-Off, honoring these graduates' hard work, resilience and determination as they prepare for what's next.

At CHS, our Ready to Earn impact area helps young people build the skills, confidence and support they need to pursue their goals and create brighter futures. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and volunteers, these students received essentials to help ease their transition to college and begin this next chapter feeling empowered and prepared.

When young people are given opportunities, encouragement and a strong support system, there's no limit to what they can achieve! 🥳

Behind every young person reaching for what’s next is someone reminding them just how capable they are. ❤️For Kayla, one...
10/03/2026

Behind every young person reaching for what’s next is someone reminding them just how capable they are. ❤️

For Kayla, one of our supervisors, that meant stepping up as a mentor through the Florida Youth Leadership Academy and helping Camyra build confidence, strengthen her self-advocacy skills and explore opportunities for her future.

From exploring college and earning college credits to developing leadership skills, Camyra continues to show what’s possible when young people have the right support in their corner.

That’s what our Ready to Earn impact area is all about: helping young adults build the skills, connections and confidence they need to successfully transition into adulthood and pursue their goals! 👏

Learn more at https://chsfl.org/what-we-do/ready-to-earn/

10/02/2026

Potential is everywhere. Opportunity is not always as easy to see.

At this year’s Community Influencer Luncheon, we shared the story of a young man whose journey through YouthWorks shows what can happen when someone is given the support, relationships, and opportunity to begin seeing a different future for themselves.

When he first connected with CHS, he was navigating housing instability and uncertainty about what came next. He was working toward his education, but he also believed that finding real opportunity might mean leaving Pensacola altogether.

Through YouthWorks, that picture began to change.

With support around education, employment, and career planning, he was connected to American Magic, where he discovered something bigger than a first job. He found a workplace where he could learn, develop new skills, be part of something innovative, and begin imagining a long-term career.

His story is a reminder that Ready to Earn is not simply about getting someone employed. It is about helping young people recognize their own potential, build the skills and confidence to pursue opportunity, and connect with employers and mentors who are willing to open doors.

Today, he is not only thinking about where he works. He is thinking about where he can grow, what he can contribute, and the leadership position he hopes to hold one day.

That is the future we mean when we say Every Child Ready.

Not a future written for a young person, but one they are equipped and empowered to build for themselves.

When potential meets opportunity, futures take shape.

Every Child Ready.

Every child. Every dream. Every future.

10/01/2026

A child may walk into school carrying a backpack, but sometimes they are carrying much more.

Challenges with housing, food, healthcare, mental health, or circumstances at home can follow a child straight into the classroom. And when those barriers are taking up so much space, it becomes much harder to focus on learning.

At this year’s Community Influencer Luncheon, we shared the story of C.A. Weis Elementary, a Community Partnership School, to show what can happen when a school and its community decide that children and families should not have to navigate those challenges alone.

Through the Community Partnership School model, Children’s Home Society of Florida works alongside the school district, healthcare providers, higher education, families, and community partners to connect students with the supports they need. The goal is not to lower expectations. It is to remove barriers so children have more opportunity to meet them.

At C.A. Weis, that partnership has helped families access healthcare right at school, connect with resources, and build greater trust with the people surrounding their children. It has also helped create an environment where teachers can focus more fully on teaching and students can focus more fully on learning.

Because Ready to Learn is about more than what happens at a desk. It is about making sure children feel supported, connected, and able to imagine what is possible for themselves.

That is Every Child Ready in action.

When barriers are removed, potential has room to grow.

Every Child Ready.

Every child. Every dream. Every future.

It's officially the spookiest month of the year! 🎃👻What's truly scary? A child missing out on the excitement of dressing...
10/01/2026

It's officially the spookiest month of the year! 🎃👻

What's truly scary? A child missing out on the excitement of dressing up and celebrating Halloween.

You can help make this season a little brighter for local children and families. 🍬

Learn more and get involved here: https://chsfl.org/get-involved/volunteer/

10/01/2026

Every child deserves a strong start, and every parent deserves to know they don’t have to navigate those earliest years alone.

At this year’s Community Influencer Luncheon, we shared the story of one Healthy Families Escambia mom whose experience shows what Ready to Grow can look like in real life.

Even as a second-time mom, she shared that there were still questions, worries, and moments when she wondered whether she was doing enough. Through Healthy Families, she found more than information or resources. She found a trusted relationship, someone she could call when life felt overwhelming, guidance as her daughter reached new developmental milestones, and tools that helped her feel more confident as a parent.

From navigating unexpected challenges at home to introducing activities that supported early learning and development, that consistent support helped create the kind of strong, stable foundation every child deserves.

And as her daughter gets closer to kindergarten, that impact becomes even clearer. She is learning, growing, building new skills, and preparing for what comes next.

That is what Every Child Ready means at the very beginning of the journey: supporting families, nurturing healthy development, and helping children build a foundation that can carry them into school and beyond.

Strong futures begin with supported families.

Every Child Ready.

Every child. Every dream. Every future.

As comes to a close, we're sharing one final story from Santa Rosa County that reflects the impact of CHS' Ready to Gr...
09/30/2026

As comes to a close, we're sharing one final story from Santa Rosa County that reflects the impact of CHS' Ready to Grow impact area.

One Healthy Start mom faced pregnancy complications, a brain tumor diagnosis and other challenges while caring for her young family. With support from CHS, her own determination and a caring community, she created a brighter future for herself and her children. 💙

Stories like this remind us that when families have the support they need, children can thrive. A special thank you to our Santa Rosa Healthy Start team for making stories like this possible every day. 👏

Help create more stories like this by visiting https://brnw.ch/21x64vY to learn more!

Today’s Community Influencer Luncheon was a powerful reminder of what happens when a community comes together around chi...
09/29/2026

Today’s Community Influencer Luncheon was a powerful reminder of what happens when a community comes together around children and families.

We were honored to welcome community leaders, advocates, educators, business partners, elected officials, volunteers, and friends as we celebrated the theme Every Child Ready and the collective impact being made across Northwest Florida. Together, we shared stories of hope, resilience, and opportunity while highlighting how CHS is helping children be Ready to Grow, Ready to Learn, and Ready to Earn.

We were proud to recognize our 2025-2026 Community Partners of the Year:

🏆 Adoptions Partner of the Year: Stephanie White and Nicki Brask of Florida Adoptions�🏆 Healthy Families Escambia Partner of the Year: Aida Ramirez, Esq.�🏆 YouthWorks Partner of the Year: American Magic�🏆 Bellview Middle Community Partnership School Partner of the Year: Syntoria Spencer�🏆 Healthy Families West Florida Partner of the Year: Liberty Church, Pace Campus

We also celebrated two exceptional honorees whose commitment continues to transform lives:

❤️ Volunteer of the Year: Hagar’s Basket, recognized for years of faithful service and support to children, families, students, and CHS programs throughout our community.
❤️ R. David and Lorraine Thomas Child Advocate of the Year: Switzer Brothers Charitable Foundation, recognized for more than two decades of partnership and investment in youth and families across our region.

The afternoon concluded with an extraordinary act of generosity. We are deeply grateful to Sandy Sansing and the Sansing family for announcing a transformational gift of $100,000 in support of the children and families served by Children’s Home Society of Florida. Their leadership and commitment will help ensure more children have the opportunity to thrive, belong, and succeed.

To every guest, sponsor, volunteer, partner, and supporter who joined us today: thank you for helping us build the village every child deserves. Together, we are creating brighter futures and stronger communities.

Four real stories. Four real families. One powerful truth: early support changes lives! 💯Every child deserves the chance...
09/28/2026

Four real stories. Four real families. One powerful truth: early support changes lives! 💯

Every child deserves the chance to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential. These Ready to Grow stories show what's possible when families get the support they need, when they need it most. ❤️

Learn more about our Ready to Grow impact area here: https://chsfl.org/what-we-do/ready-to-grow/

Every family’s journey starts with support! 💙 Through our Healthy Start program, Riley found guidance as a first-time mo...
09/26/2026

Every family’s journey starts with support! 💙

Through our Healthy Start program, Riley found guidance as a first-time mom, welcomed a healthy baby boy, and discovered a new purpose along the way. Today, she’s a certified doula, ready to help other families navigate their own parenting journeys. 👶

Stories like Riley’s show the power of investing in families from the very beginning. During , we’re celebrating stories like this that help children, parents, and communities thrive through CHS’s Ready to Grow impact area.

🔗If you’d like to help create more success stories like Riley’s and her family, visit https://brnw.ch/21x5Zgp

Every family faces challenges, but no family should have to face them alone. ❤️When developmental concerns emerged for t...
09/25/2026

Every family faces challenges, but no family should have to face them alone. ❤️

When developmental concerns emerged for twins Luciano and Noah, their family navigated evaluations, therapies and personal hardships while remaining committed to helping their children thrive.

Stories like these are the reason CHS exists. Across Florida, we work alongside children and families to identify concerns early, connect them to the right support and help create opportunities for lifelong success. Today, both boys are reaching important milestones and building the foundation for a bright future.

This Baby Safety Month, learn more at https://brnw.ch/21x5XuD

Thank You for Making a Difference! 🎒📚💙A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the Children’s Home Society ...
09/10/2026

Thank You for Making a Difference! 🎒📚💙

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the Children’s Home Society of Florida Back-to-School Drive this season!

We are especially grateful to Claudia Z. with Hill-Kelly Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, Eric B. with United Community Bank, and Chris Proctor - State Farm Agent, along with the countless individuals, businesses, and community members who took the time to donate, contribute, and help make this drive a success.

Your generosity means so much. Because of your kindness and willingness to give, local children can head back to school with some of the supplies and support they need to feel prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

It truly takes a community coming together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families. Thank you for being part of that community and for investing in our children's future.

We appreciate your generosity, your time, and most of all, your heart for helping others. Thank you for showing up and making a difference! 💙🎒✏️

Every child. Every dream. Every future.

Today, we’re celebrating an incredible milestone: 10 years of Leah Harrison at Children’s Home Society of Florida! 💛🎉Lea...
09/02/2026

Today, we’re celebrating an incredible milestone: 10 years of Leah Harrison at Children’s Home Society of Florida! 💛🎉

Leah began her CHS journey in philanthropy and development, helping build the relationships, partnerships, and community support that make our work possible. Over the years, her commitment to children and families, her deep connection to Northwest Florida, and her ability to bring people together have made a lasting impact across our region.

In 2024, Leah stepped into the role of Executive Director, bringing that same passion and relationship-centered leadership to our teams and programs across the Pensacola and Emerald Coast communities. Today, she continues to champion the work happening every day to help children and families realize their full potential, while strengthening the partnerships that allow CHS to make an even greater impact.

We are so proud to have Leah leading our communities and grateful for the decade she has dedicated to CHS, our mission, and the families we serve.

Happy 10-year anniversary, Leah! Here’s to celebrating all you’ve accomplished and all that’s still ahead. 💛

There’s something special about celebrating the people who have dedicated so much of their lives to the mission of Child...
08/24/2026

There’s something special about celebrating the people who have dedicated so much of their lives to the mission of Children’s Home Society of Florida. 💙

Our Greater Pensacola team recently came together to celebrate some incredible CHS milestones: Frieda, 25 years; Phyllis, 37 years; and Niloufer, 32 years!

That’s 94 years of combined service to children and families.

Behind those numbers are countless relationships built, families supported, challenges met, and lives impacted. Their commitment is a powerful reminder that the work we do today builds stronger families and brighter futures for generations to come.

Please join us in celebrating Frieda, Phyllis, and Niloufer, and thanking them for the heart, experience, and dedication they continue to bring to CHS. 💙

94 years of impact, and counting.

Tonight, our Pensacola Local Community Advisory Board came together for its annual retreat, reflecting on a year of mean...
08/19/2026

Tonight, our Pensacola Local Community Advisory Board came together for its annual retreat, reflecting on a year of meaningful impact and preparing for the work ahead.

Together, board members celebrated local successes, learned more about CHS’s growing cradle-to-career approach, explored opportunities to strengthen advocacy and community partnerships, and set priorities for board development, donor engagement, and Soundside Splendor. They also practiced sharing the CHS story with confidence, leading with the real impact our programs create for children and families who are ready to grow, ready to learn, and ready to earn.

Our board members are more than advisors. They are champions, connectors, advocates, and builders who open doors and carry our mission into places we could not reach alone.

Thank you to every member of our Pensacola board for giving your time, talents, relationships, and hearts in service to CHS. Your leadership helps create brighter futures for children and families across Northwest Florida.

Every child. Every dream. Every future.

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17 S. DeVilliers Street
Pensacola, FL
32502

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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