WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (September 15, 2014) – ChildNet Circle of Supporters, an annual giving society, hosted a networking mixer at PAMPAS Grille CityPlace to raise awareness about the need for foster parents and financial support for children in foster care. ChildNet is the Community-Based Care lead child welfare agency in Palm Beach and Broward County.
“We were very pleased with the amount of caring people who joined us to learn more about becoming a part of the Circle of Supporters – the everyday heroes who allow us to help make a difference in the lives of our community’s most vulnerable children,” said Larry Rein, ChildNet Palm Beach County executive director. “The event was an opportunity for us to engage with the community and emphasize ChildNet’s need for support in protecting those who have been abused, abandoned and neglected and deserve happy childhood memories.”
During the friend-raiser, guests enjoyed complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while networking. Each guest was presented with a wallet-size photo of a child who is available for adoption.
“Most of us carry a school photo of our kids in our wallets, but these children have no one to carry their picture. Guests were asked to carry the photo to let others know about children who are available for adoption in their community,” said Elizabeth Wynter, ChildNet director of community relations.
Former foster care youth Dariane Taylor shared her success story at the event. Taylor, a Riviera Beach resident, is currently enrolled at Palm Beach State College pursuing her associate’s degree in emergency media services (EMS). “I am so grateful for everyone at ChildNet who, over the years, has offered their time and support to those of us who grew up in foster care and allowed us to believe that we can achieve anything,” said Taylor. “I look forward to serving as a role model for my peers to help them accomplish even more than I have. The sky is the limit.”
More events are planned in Palm Beach County as ChildNet builds a team of leaders, visionaries, advocates and partners who will support the services and initiatives, including foster care and adoption, which positively impact the lives of those children who need it most.
For more information about involvement opportunities with ChildNet or becoming a foster parent, please call the agency in Palm Beach County at 561-352-2500. Visit www.ChildNet.us and www.Facebook.com/ChildNet.
ABOUT CHILDNET:
ChildNethas been chosen by the Florida Department of Children & Families to serve as the Community-Based Care (CBC) lead agency in both Broward and Palm Beach counties. As such, it is the single private non-profit entity responsible for administration of the local child welfare systems in each county. It fulfills this responsibility by managing comprehensive networks of child welfare services providers and, in Broward, by also serving as the single centralized child welfare case management provider. The agency’s mission is to protect abused, abandoned and neglected children in the communities it serves. Fulfillment of this mission requires constant input and support from community stakeholders and service providers.