Serving Highlands County children and families since 1994.
In 1990, the Highlands County Board of County Commission formed a Citizen’s Task Force on Children to discuss real needs and advocate on behalf of children within our community. The task force led to the establishment of a Children's Services Council, with Kevin J. Roberts being appointed its first Executive Director 1991. Roberts quickly recognized government financial assistance was wrapped in red tape, and realized readily-accessible funds were necessary in order to truly address pertinent issues related to child safety and well-being.
The answer was the incorporation of a stand-alone 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation that would manage gifts from private citizens, allowing those gifts to be federal tax deductions for the donors, while meeting critical needs of children within the community. Under the leadership of Kevin J. Roberts, its founder and first Chief Executive Officer, the Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County, Inc. (originally named the Children's Services Foundation) was established in 1993, and received 501(c)3 tax-exempt status and began providing services in 1994.
The Champion for Children Foundation, Children’s Services Council, and local government grew to embrace the concept of a “Public-Private Partnership” that could make good things happen fast. Since inception, the Champion for Children Foundation has underwritten many remarkable projects, changing the landscape of Highlands County, and started numerous initiatives, positively impacting the lives of thousands of children. The Champion for Children Foundation Board of Directors acknowledges and appreciates the generosity of the Highlands County community, as together we work toward the vision of every child in our county having what they need to reach their greatest potential and become a postivie member of a global society.
The champion for children foundation Main office
Located at 419 E. Center Avenue, Sebring FL 33870
Champion for Children Foundation timeline
The Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County, Inc. is proud to highlight decades of success. The Highlands County community cares about their children, and this love has translated into positive action and effective support programs over the years.
1990 - Board of County Commission forms a Citizen’s Task Force on Children leading to the establishment of a Children Services Council.
1991 - County Commission appoints volunteers to serve on the Children’s Services Council and names Kevin J. Roberts as the first Executive Director.
1992 - Under the leadership of Kevin Roberts, the Children's Services Council launches the Resource Mothers program to improve prenatal care, and subscribes to the national I Care Hotline (later establishing the We Care Hotline in 1997).
1993 - The Children’s Services Foundation of Highlands County (later named the Champion for Children Foundation) is established, appointing inaugural board members and naming founder, Kevin J. Roberts, as the first Chief Executive Officer. The Foundation develops “local match” funds for Healthy Kids Health Insurance Program.
1994 - The Children’s Services Foundation of Highlands County is officially incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, begins providing prevention services and early-intervention assistance.
1995 - The Family Safehouse for victims of domestic violence and their children is established and opened.
1996 - Eye Check (now Vision & Hearing Quest) began, providing free vision screenings for school-aged children.
1998 - The Children’s Advocacy Center is built, equipped and opened to provide multi-agency evaluation and services to abused children. The Avon Park Youth Academy (later the Highlands Youth Academy) is opened, a residential program serving youth with an emphasis on job training and crime prevention.
1999 - Children’s Advocacy Center gains full membership in the National Children’s Alliance and employs Jeff Roth as Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center.
2000 - Heart of Florida Legal Aid begins services. Faye’s Place begins services in cooperation with a local church providing transitional housing for domestic violence victims and their children. The inaugural Judge Clifton M. Kelly Champion for Children Award honors our community’s Champions for Children.
2003 - The Emergency Rescue Fund is established with the support of United Way to provide emergency assistance to families who fall between the cracks and are in need of a hand up. The Kinsley L. Cox Living Memorial Fund is established in loving memory of 5-year-old Kinsley Cox to assist parents who are challenged with caring for seriously ill or injured children. Phase two of the Children’s Advocacy Center is completed, providing a larger conference room and additional office space.
2007 - The building used formerly as Faye’s Place becomes the Foundation's main office.
2010 - Children Services Foundation is renamed the Champion for Children Foundation, and phase three of the Children’s Advocacy Center is completed more than doubling the size and capacity of the center.
2011 - The historic Circle Theatre is purchased, and three years of renovation begin.
2013 - The Champion for Children Circle Theatre opens to enhance joy and provide art programs to disadvantaged children. Awe-tistic Child Fund (now Actions for Autism) is established to support and assist families with children diagnosed with autism.
2014 - The Kinsley L. Cox Living Memorial Fund expands to the Ila & Kinsley Cox Living Memorial Fund providing assistance to families who have children with serious illnesses or injuries, as well as to parents with serious illnesses or injuries who have minor children in their care in honor of Ila Cox.
2015 - Lindsey’s Wish joins the Foundation's initiatives, providing assistance to children battling cancer in honor of Lindsey Hammortree. Do Something Fancy is created to raise funds in support of the Ila & Kinsley Cox Living Memorial Fund. The Garden of Joy is constructed and dedicated in memory of Jimmy Polatty.
2016 - Committed citizens meet and pray, resulting in a community-wide collaboration United Together.
2017 - Chief Executive Officer Retirement and Transition Celebration: Carissa J. Marine becomes the Foundation’s second CEO. Circle Theatre restructures to provide additional prevention services and training programs. The Family Resource Center opens.
2018 - United Together completes the buildout project for the Teen Center and the Youth For Christ City Life Program opens its doors. The "Prof" & Paul Gustat Music Fund is established, encouraging music education, participation and enrichment.
2019 - The Champion for Children Foundation celebrates 25 years of serving children and families in Highlands County.
2020 - The Inaugural Champion for Children Youth Awards is held, in partnership with the School Board of Highlands County, to highlight and celebrate students in the community who are taking action to serve others and address needs throughout the county.
2021 - Hope for Highlands is established to lead Highlands County in becoming a trauma-informed community.
