A.N.A.’s Friends initiates community conversation to support children in foster care

A.N.A.’s Friends has launched a new initiative, Among Friends, to raise awareness and spark dialogue that inspires solutions to challenges impacting children and teens in Florida’s foster care system.

Held April 10 at Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers, “Among Friends: A Conversation about Healing, Belonging and the Power of Connection” attracted 212 guests for meaningful conversation addressing the foster care system, which for years has faced instability of placements, shortages of foster parents, burnout among social workers and an overloaded child welfare system.

“The ‘A.N.A.’ in A.N.A.’s Friends represents children who have been abused, neglected and abandoned, and their ‘friends’ include those with compassion, understanding and a willingness to advocate for children who often lack a voice in the dependency court system,” said Jessica Stanfield, CEO of the Southwest Florida-based nonprofit. “Among Friends brought policymakers, caregivers, foster parents and advocates into the same room to initiate conversations that we hope will lead to meaningful action.”

Author, speaker, child welfare advocate and change-maker Ashley Rhodes-Courter headlined Among Friends. Born to a single teen mother and shuffled between 14 foster homes and institutions before being adopted at age 12, Rhodes-Courter is the author of New York Times bestselling memoirs “Three Little Words” and “Three More Words,” which follow her personal journey through Florida’s foster care system.

Following Rhodes-Courter’s presentation, the evening continued with Conversations Among Friends, a guided discussion experience allowing attendees to reflect on the themes of healing, belonging and connection. Moderator Cole Peacock, along with Rhodes-Courter, guided participants through conversations about what loss means to them, what children need to hope and heal, and what a friend can do to help, all within the theme of “A friend can change the life of a child.”

Rhodes-Courter took special note of the individuals in attendance at Among Friends, which included foster parents, adoptive parents, caregivers, case managers, educators, volunteer advocates, elected officials, community leaders and other dedicated supporters.

“You are creating systemic change, and creating the opportunity to break incredibly dangerous cycles,” Rhodes-Courter said. “With your contributions, you’re able to save children’s lives, and that’s not a flippant catch phrase. That is a living representation of the family system that you have here today.”

Attorney Spencer Roach, a former Guardian ad Litem and foster parent to 31 children over the years, was among those in attendance. As a Florida state representative, Roach filed a bill to reduce the amount of time abused and neglected children spend in foster care. Fellow lawmakers approved the bill, titled “A Year is a Long Time in the Life of a Child Act,” and Gov. DeSantis signed it into law in 2019. He’s hoping groups like A.N.A.’s Friends bring about systematic change.

“Despite all the best intentions and efforts of our government to help these children, I think we all agree the government makes a terrible parent,” Roach said. “That’s why we’re all here stepping up to do this work to get these children into permanent homes.”

“Advocacy is powerful,” Rhodes-Courter added. “You have a direct opportunity to back an organization that is doing that work.”

The Daniel R. & Anne M. Harper Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses its philanthropy on science, religion and education, was Presenting Sponsor for Among Friends. Healing Sponsors included Integrity Charitable Foundation, Integrity Employee Leasing and Gary & Jean Lederer. Belonging Sponsors included Barraco and Associates, along with Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. Two Penny Publishing and HSC/Tuscan & Company were the Shared Story Sponsors, while Luminary Hotel was the Raise a Glass Sponsor. Table Sponsors included FineMark Bank & Trust and Bruce & Kathy Greenberg, while Conversation Sponsors included CopyLady, Affinity and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

About A.N.A.’s Friends

A.N.A.’s Friends is a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to vulnerable Southwest Florida children and teens who have been Abused, Neglected and Abandoned (A.N.A.). “Friends” of the organization includes individuals, businesses, foundations and nonprofits that collaborate through partnerships that provide a safer, more nurturing environment allowing youth to heal, grow and thrive. Originally founded in 1983, A.N.A.’s Friends is a United Way Partner Agency that serves youth in the dependency court system across Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. For more information, please visit ANAsfriends.org or call 239-245-7787.