Palm Beach Gardens, FL – October 2011 – The
state of Florida’s Department of Children and Families
recognized Place of Hope Executive Director Charles Bender
for his service to area children and young adults, by
presenting him with the Excellence in Child Welfare Services
award.
Bender was honored at the annual statewide Pathway to
Independence Summit 2011, held in September. The Summit is
an opportunity for professionals throughout the state to
share best practices and continue advancing standards of
excellence for child welfare practice in Florida.
Place of Hope of Palm Beach Gardens and Lake Park opened to
care for foster children in May 2001. Ten years later, it is
one of the largest family-style child welfare organizations
in Florida. The organization provides emergency and
long-term family-style foster care, family outreach and
intervention, transitional housing and support services,
adoption and foster care recruitment and support, and hope
and healing opportunities for children and families who have
been traumatized by abuse and neglect.
One of POH’s newest programs, Joann’s Cottage, was dedicated
on September 30, thanks to a generous community fundraising
effort spearheaded by Jupiter resident Cheri Martin. Joann’s
Cottage, a faith-based, family-style maternity home
providing comprehensive care for up to 10 young mothers and
mothers to be, is named after Cheri’s late mother, Joanne
Sirrine. It will open later in 2011.
“Joann’s Cottage is another way for Place of Hope, its
supporters and the community at large to positively assist
young people, as they make life-altering decisions,” Bender
said. “I am very proud to accept this award as recognition
from the state of the hard work being done by our staff,
donors, board members, supporters and foster parents, who
make sure these children and young adults have what they
need to succeed.”
Looking forward, Place of Hope welcomes the
community to join the November 5 Third Annual Hope Walk at
Carlin Park in Jupiter. The day-long event will start with a
pre-walk warm-up and a two-mile walk, followed by family-fun
activities, such as cardio classes, a dodge ball tournament,
bounce houses, pancakes from IHOP and more. Funds raised
will allow POH to continue providing its children with
items, such as food, clothing, summer camps, educational
supplies, sports, special children's activities, family
outings and family vacations. Online registration ends
November 2, 2011. To learn more, visit
http://www.placeofhope.com/walk.php
or call 561-775-7195.
To learn more about Place of Hope and its programs, events
and services, call 561-775-7195 or visit
www.placeofhope.com
.
|
|