The Remarkable Charities
Help us support these three organizations that constantly make the lives of the children in our community brighter. It is organizations like these that make living in the heart of Florida so great.
Children’s Home Society of Florida
Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) is the oldest and largest statewide children's advocacy agency in the State of Florida. Founded in 1902 as an adoption agency, the organization has since placed more than 30,000 children in loving adoptive homes. Today, CHS delivers a unique spectrum of social services designed to protect children at risk of abuse, neglect or abandonment; to strengthen and stabilize families; to help young people break the cycle of abuse and neglect; and to find safe, loving homes for children.
Last year, Children’s Home Society’s Mid-Florida Division served 6,677 children and families. The organization’s goal is to ensure every child is safe, healthy and prepared for life as we continue to focus on our mission of “Embracing Children. Inspiring Lives.”
Child Advocacy Center
The Child Advocacy Center in Gainesville provides a child friendly, safe and supportive environment for abused and neglected children. Through the Center, social workers, counselors, law enforcement officers, state attorneys, victim advocates, Guardians Ad Litem and medical professionals work as a team to coordinate investigations and interventions for each child abuse case, thus expediting the child's time in the legal system. Combining the wisdom and professional knowledge of a "multidisciplinary team" ensures that children are not re-victimized by the system and that they and their families are provided the support and services needed.
Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure
Tyler’s Hope for a Dystonia Cure is a non-profit organization committed to funding neurology research to prevent and cure DYT1 Dystonia; while creating awareness of this disorder. The organization was found in 2005 by Rick and Michelle Staab in response to their son, Tyler’s, Dystonia diagnosis. Since then, the Staab’s middle child, Samantha, has also been diagnosed with Dystonia.
Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, which force certain parts of the body into abnormal, sometimes painful and debilitating, movements or postures. One-third of Dystonia patients are children.