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| MEET AMY KAZMA, PLACE OF HOPE'S SOUTH COUNTY "GOD'S CHILDREN. OUR FUTURE." CAMPAIGN CHAIR |
PLACE OF HOPE PREPARES TO OPEN ITS SECOND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING COMPLEX IN BOCA
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Last Friday was an exciting day for our Boca Raton Campus as we prepared our newest affordable transitional housing complex, our Schmitt Family Complex, for move-in day!
"Thanks to a generous lead gift from Dru and Debbie Schmitt, and eight other generous friends who stepped up to name the units inside this building, we have been able to build this complex debt free for aged-out foster youth, otherwise homeless youth and single moms with kids who need a hand up," Charles Bender, Founding CEO and Board Member, Place of Hope.
"Everything that you can think of, from kitchen utensils, sheets, towels - everything you would need to move in your own child into their own apartment - our Angel Moms are helping us set up today so we can welcome in soon more youth who need this affordable transitional housing," Lisa McDulin, South County Director of Advancement, Place of Hope. |
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WPBF TIFFANY KENNEY UNCOVERS WHY EDUCATION IS SO CRUICIAL IN PROTECTING YOUR KIDS FROM PREDATORS
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Tiffany Kenney from WPBF News 25 sat down with Place of Hope’s Director of Advancement & Communications Jamie Bond Ciancio to understand why Place of Hope is committed to bringing human trafficking awareness to businesses and the community.
“Human trafficking in our local area is not what we see in the movies. Here in South Florida, we see family members exploiting and trafficking kids in their families. We also see gang and organized crime trafficking, but it is not what you would think. People need to understand human trafficking and exploitation is the second largest illegal business in the world with buyers, sellers and a product. In this case, the product is a child.
Children and youth are being groomed at school, on the playground, and online in our homes. Sextortion is rampant and is a leading cause of teen suicide. Predators have easy access to our children; more access than ever before thanks to the internet. It is critical parents, grandparents, teachers, businesses, everyone to understand what to look for and how to protect our children’s innocence.” Ciancio explained.
“It is happening here. The South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SF ICAC), which covers the Florida Keys to Indian River County, receives upwards of 200 calls per week to report suspected online crimes against children. Jeffery Epstein groomed girls in our local high school, Royal Palm Beach. Place of Hope is serving survivors of familial trafficking every day. It is happening here. And we are working hard to save every life we can,” Jamie Bond Ciancio.
To schedule a presentation, contact us at JamieB@placeofhope.com. |
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| Recently, one of our sibling groups was reunited with their mother after a long and difficult journey apart. The day was filled with overwhelming emotion—hope, relief, and healing—as the children were able to return home. While their time with us was marked by growth, stability, and encouragement, this reunion was a powerful reminder of what we work for every day—building stronger families. |
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We continue to stay closely connected with the family, walking alongside them as they adjust to being together again and ensuring they have the support needed to stay strong and stable in this new chapter.
As we celebrated this milestone, we also welcomed two new children into our home. Arriving in a new place, filled with unfamiliar faces, can feel overwhelming, but these two have begun to settle in beautifully, surrounded by cottage parents and new family who offer patience, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. We are already seeing them smile more, open up, and feel safe.
These moments—family reunification, new beginnings, and personal victories—are made possible because of compassionate supporters like you. Together, we can continue creating stories of healing, hope, and transformation.
Donate today to support stronger families and brighter futures. |
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| CELEBRATING SHANNON ANDERSON, COO |
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Today we are celebrating our COO, Shannon Anderson, and her 22 incredible years of passion, commitment, and servant leadership! Shannon, we are beyond grateful for your unwavering dedication to our mission and the kids we serve.
Shannon embodies Colossians 3:23—“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Her leadership continues to inspire us all. |
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| CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION UPDATES |
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Exciting campus construction updates on our Lane Family Village at our Bender Family Campus in Stuart! Earlier this week we put in fire lines, got the road prepped for density and started the slabs for our Snyder Family Complex, Smith Brothers Family Foundation Complex, and our Morgridge Family Foundation Outreach Center!
Soon a foundation will be poured and walls will be going up! The Lane Family Village is taking shape and we cannot wait to welcome our new residents. This village will serve over 64 young adults who have aged-out of foster care, homeless youth, single moms with dependent children and human trafficking survivors.
Within the village will also be our Morgridge Family Foundation Outreach Center which is currently serving thousands of families in the Treasure Coast from its temporary location inside our Boswell Family Education & Enrichment Academy. |
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| FASHION MEETS PHILANTHROPY |
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Saturday, January 25 Place of Hope's "Runway of Hope" Fashion Meets Philanthropy hosted its 2nd annual fashion show and peer-to-peer fundraiser at The Royal Poinciana Plaza raising mission critical fund and friends!
A BIG shout out goes to all of our incredible Champions for Children who participated in our 8-week peer-to-peer competition! These dedicated friends worked hard to help raise awareness, friends and critical funds for Place of Hope. The competition culminated last Saturday when each of them were personally styled in Palm Beaches hottest fashion and got to walk the runway at The Royal Poinciana Plaza.
The Champion who raised the most funds for Place of Hope was crowned as our Top Champion for Children. We are so grateful for our 2025 Runway of Hope Top Champion for Children, Nicola (Coco) Verses! Thank you Coco!
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible from our sponsors, Champions, volunteers, attendees and everyone who supported our Champions!
Check out all of the photos from the event on our Facebook page! |
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Angel Moms Christy Hamilton and Liz Wolcott recently hosted a private luncheon for friends at The Colony to officially kick off their efforts to help expand our Angel Moms group to central Palm Beach County and the island of Palm Beach. Their efforts will help raise awareness and financial support for our Sam & Connie Frankino KidSanctuary Campus in West Palm Beach and provide hands on volunteer support when needed for the children and youth who live on the campus.
Christy, who is also a part of the Angel Mom Leadership Board, shares "while Place of Hope has been doing important work in the county for almost 25 years, we're thrilled that the newest campus in West Palm Beach will more directly impact our community here in West Palm and on the island. We feel there's really an opportunity to raise awareness and support here in mid-county for additional housing and the newly-announced outreach center on their KidSanctuary Campus which will serve the whole area. As mothers of young children, it's even more meaningful to support Place of Hope's families and children in need and we're excited to be among the founding Angel Moms in Palm Beach responsible for bringing others into the fold."
For information about how you can join the Angel Moms in Central Palm Beach, please contact:
Lisa McDulin, South County Director of Advancement & Campaigns at LisaM@placeofhoperinker.org OR
Gina Franano, Mid County Director of Advancement & Campaigns at GinaFranano@placeofhope.com. |
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Meet our 2025 Leighan Roberts Rinker Angel of Hope, Renee Feder!
Renee will be honored at our Place of Hope at the Leighan and David Rinker Campus's 11th Annual Angel Mom Brunch & Benefit presented by Michelle Hagerty on Friday, April 11 at the Boca West Country Club.
Hear from Keynote Speaker, TV personality, Emmy Award winning journalist, NY Times Best Selling Author, Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Save the date and reserve your sponsorship by contacting Brunch@placeofhoperinker.org. |
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Some fun was served up during "Padel for Purpose," where sport met philanthropy in a display of competition and community spirit.
On Saturday, January 11, Grace Hyde Walker and Ali Caplan held a Padel tournament, “Padel for Purpose,” to raise funds for Place of Hope at West Palm Beach's newly established Padel Club. The event gathered a crowd of approximately 100 spectator guests who enjoyed bites and drinks as they watched 26 players compete.
Grace and Ali's campaign has already raised over $10,000 to further POH's work.
Read the full article here. |
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PLACE OF HOPE'S 2025 LEXUS HOPE BASH IS SOLD OUT!
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Thank you to all of our incredibly generous sponsors, our Chairs: Marla Paxson, Nicole Paxson and Dr. Arghavan Welch, and our committee members!
We look forward to seeing everyone on March 1, 2025 at Trump National Jupiter!
Not attending and want to participate in the silent auction? You can!
Register today at BASH.Givesmart.com. Our auction will go live about a few weeks before the event.
Raffle tickets will also be on sale soon!
Any questions? Contact us at Bash@placeofhope.com. |
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Thank you to all of our incredibly generous sponsors, our Chairs: Marla Paxson, Nicole Paxson and Dr. Arghavan Welch, and our committee members!
We look forward to seeing everyone on March 1, 2025 at Trump National Jupiter!
Not attending and want to participate in the silent auction? You can!
Register today at BASH.Givesmart.com. Our auction will go live about a few weeks before the event.
Raffle tickets will also be on sale soon!
Any questions? Contact us at Bash@placeofhope.com. |
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