Executive Director
Children’s Home Society of Florida, Buckner Division
Mission
Children’s Home Society of Florida’s mission is “Embracing Children. Inspiring Lives.” Our mission speaks to our desire to protect Florida’s most fragile children and help them build bright futures.
Serving Jacksonville
In an effort to find families for homeless, neglected children, Children’s Home Society of Florida was established in Jacksonville on Nov. 17, 1902, under the guidance of Rev. D.W. Comstock and Rev. W.E. Boggs. CHS has 14 divisions covering all of Florida.
Those served
On any given day, the Buckner Division serves more than 2,500 children and families through more than 23 different child welfare programs. Our service area covers Duval, Nassau, Clay, Baker and St. Johns counties. However, we accept referrals from throughout the state.
Biggest challenge
Our greatest challenge is appropriate funding for child welfare services. With the current economic situation and the difficult decisions facing the Legislature, we find ourselves relying heavily on our donors and supporters to assist us when we experience a shortfall. And they are so very generous to us!
Biggest satisfaction
My greatest satisfaction is seeing the difference we make in our clients, their families and the staff that provide the services. To see a child be adopted, a child leave residential care knowing they will be going to a home-like environment, a teen mom graduate our teen parent program, a mother of four children gain employment and housing are all humbling experiences for me. Each day, I leave work knowing we make a difference and we are helping to break the generational cycles of abuse, abandonment and neglect for more and more children.
Hometown
Catlettsburg, Ky.
First experience with community service
Part-time tutor for at-risk male youth in the juvenile justice system while attending college.
Your job before the Children’s Home Society of Florida, Buckner Division
Director of quality management and compliance for a faith-based nonprofit child welfare organization.
Upcoming events
Oct. 23: 28th Annual Caring Chefs event, 7-9:30 p.m., The Avenues Mall.
Nov. 12: Natural Life Music Festival and 10th Annual Crafternoon, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Metropolitan Park.
Contact information
www.chsfl.org/buckner
493-7744