Friends of Foster Children Forever announces Hughes as New Executive Director

Friends of Foster Children Forever’s (FFCF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Ann Hughes as Executive Director as of April 1, 2019. CEO Jane Billings, who for the past seven years has led the non-profit to new heights in serving the needs of foster children and their caregivers, will continue to provide support for a smooth transition. Billings plans to retire July 1, 2019.

Ann Hughes brings her knowledge and experience from previously owning her own PR and Marketing firm followed by five years as Director of Donor Services at the Community Foundation of Collier County. She also brings her understanding of the issues facing foster children having served as a foster family and on the Citizens Foster Care Review Panel.

“I can’t express enough how excited I am that Ann is coming on board,” says Billings. “Ann’s passion for the cause of foster children runs very deep.”

Billings joined Friends of Foster Children Forever in 2013 when the organization made the commitment to raise additional funding to better meet the needs of children in the foster care/dependency system. These abused and neglected children require a higher level of non-governmental support if they are to survive the system and grow into successful, contributing adults. Through her passion, commitment and tireless work, Billings, with the assistance of Program Manager Vanessa Estrada and the rest of her team, has led FFCF to provide a continuum of educational support including academic mentoring, professional tutoring and connection to early childhood learning resources, to enhance the lives of and support children from the time they enter foster care, until they either graduate from high school or no longer need the support.

Not only has the intensity of academic support increased, the efficiency with which it and other support to foster children and their caregivers has improved substantially through cooperation with other service agencies including Collier County Public Schools, Naples Children & Education Foundation, Healthcare Network of SWFL, Early Learning Coalition of SWFL, Camelot Community Care, Laces of Love, Youth Haven and the Guardian ad Litem program.

“Ann, Vanessa and the FFCF team will continue to build on this support network that FFCF provides to foster children to enhance their confidence, academic achievement and social well-being, enabling them to succeed in life,” adds Billings.

The FFCF mission is to focus on the children they serve by providing targeted educational and enrichment opportunities that allow each child to fulfill his or her potential. The charitable organization works to fulfill the unmet needs of every child who enters or, is at risk of entering the foster care system in Collier, Hendry and Glades Counties.

For more information about Friends of Foster Children of Forever (FFCF) or how to help, visit www.friendsoffosterchildren.net or call (239) 262–1808.

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This article was submitted by a Guest Author of the Above Board Chamber.