09/12/2026
Kiwanis Club of Pinellas Park – Children’s Home Society
On Thursday, September 10, The Kiwanis Club of Pinellas Park welcomed our speaker from Children’s Home Society of Florida, Rebecca Knowles, Managing Director of Area Development, Suncoast Region. The mission for CHS is “Creating Conditions for Transformative Change”. Their Vision is “Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and surrounded by opportunity, no matter their zip code or circumstances”
From the Power Point Presentation and their website, we learn a great deal about Children’s Home Society, including the following highlights:
• History – Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS) is celebrating 125 years of devoted service to children and families in 2027. Founded on November 17, 1902, CHS was established as a child welfare society focused on placing children in safe, loving healthy homes.
• Ready to Grow (Prenatal-Age 5):
o 80% of brain development occurs before age 5
o We help ensure families have what they need early on
o Strong relationships, healthy physical and mental development, early learning opportunities, and safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive.
• Ready to Learn (Ages 5 – 13):
o Research shows that students who are engaged and supported in school are more likely to graduate on time and succeed in college, career, and life
o Through Community Partnership Schools and other school-based supports, we support students so they are prepared for the classroom and beyond
o Children receiving these supports are better equipped – mentally, physically and emotionally – to engage with learning, retain new information and apply it in meaningful ways.
o When students are supported early and consistently, they are more likely to stay on track
• Ready to Earn (14 – 24):
o Research shows that nearly 1 in 5 young adults are not in school or working, underscoring the need for strong support during this stage.
o CHS helps young adults build the skills, experiences, and confidence they need to succeed. This includes career exploration, job readiness, work experience, life skills education, mental health support, and access to caring mentors.
o We also support them as they pursue postsecondary education and training by helping them navigate admissions, financial aid, and academic expectations—so they can persist and complete their goals
o With the right support, young people are better prepared to thrive in adulthood and contribute to their communities
The picture from today’s meeting is our speaker, Rebecca Knowles presenting one of the slides from her presentation.
We learned a great deal about how CHS helps children and young adults and the various ways we as individuals or Kiwanis as an organization may be able to help.
To find out more, visit their web site at https://www.chsfl.org/get-involved.
