Success Stories
Businesses across the state of Florida are making significant contributions to help our most vulnerable children and families. There are countless ways Floridians can volunteer. We hope these stories will inspire you to get involved with the DCF Partners for Promise volunteer initiative. The success stories are broken down by Area of Promise. Click "MORE" to view more Success Stories in an Area of Promise.
Academic Success
The Hilton St. Petersburg at Carillon sponsored a fun-filled back-to-school party with a carnival theme for 50 Eckerd foster children on Friday, August 24. ECA kids and foster families from Pinellas and Pasco counties were treated to carnival games, prizes, balloon animals, lunch and more! Several children started an impromptu talent show as they sang, danced and rapped their way into the hearts of the Hilton staff. At the end of the event, each child received a backpack crammed full of school supplies to start their school year. In addition, ECA received a donation from Kids Charity of approximately 500 back packs full of school supplies for our children. Additional donations of school supplies and back packs were also received from the St. Petersburg Junior League, Raymond James and Office Depot. A heartfelt thanks for all of these organizations and businesses for their generosity that enabled the children in our system of care to attend school with much needed supplies!!
Family Prosperity
Not In My City changes lives by helping churches move their people into action, meeting real needs in the local community. Not In My City accomplishes this goal by helping local churches align their outreach in partnership with other churches and local organizations, while also creating new services where help is lacking. We focus our efforts around three initiatives...
Children will understand their God-given potential and have every opportunity to attain it. Couples will have the support they need for their marriages to thrive. People will know where to turn for help when a crisis hits. On the website there are a variety of ways people can volunteer to help their community through three main focuses of children, couples and crisis. notinmycity.org
Healthy Living
Winter Park Laser and Anti-Aging Center, which specializes in the removal of unwanted tattoos is preparing for its final session to rid a teen in foster care of an unwanted tattoo from his face. While the ink serves as a reminder of where he has been, the teen felt the tattoos were a challenge to where he wanted to go. "I hope to one day help kids like me make good choices in life," he explains. Med spa manager Jennifer Calabrese notes: "We are so pleased to be able to help a young teen change the direction of his life through these treatments, or empower him to change his life. Every time he comes in, he is so grateful. It makes us want to try that much harder to remove the tattoos as quickly as possible."
Child Saftey
For over 20 years, Donatello's restaurant has partnered with the child welfare system to show their appreciation for Hillsborough's foster parents on Thanksgiving Day. In addition to serving our foster parents a delicious meal at no charge, this family run business also provides entertainment and gifts for the children. This year they have graciously extended the invitation to serve 200 of our deserving foster parents. Please join us in giving a special thanks to Donatello for their generosity and support!
Support for Seniors
Builder's Care is a non-profit organization to provide construction services at no cost to needy and deserving elderly and disabled homeowners who cannot obtain home repairs through traditional means.