Mid-Florida
Get Involved
There are so many exciting opportunities to make a difference in the life of a child! We'd love for you to join us in "Embracing Children. Inspiring Lives."
Auxiliary
Join the Auxiliary!
Are you interested in being a part of Children's Home Society of Florida’s events? Many of these events greatly rely on the support and help of our auxiliaries. Auxiliaries are groups of dynamic women volunteers passionate about our mission, vision and values who provide exciting ideas to benefit the children in our community at risk for abuse and neglect.
The Gainesville Auxiliary focuses on fundraising and community education for Children's Home Society of Florida, our programs and our services. The women coordinate and manage the Family Visitation Center Holiday Party, Inspiring Lives Fashion Show and Puttin’ on the Ritz.
Our Ocala Auxiliary began in 2008 and continues to grow rapidly. The women coordinate supply and gift drives for our programs, advocate on behalf of the children we serve and fundraise throughout the community. They also coordinate Inspiring Lives Fashion Shows in Ocala and The Villages and are planning an inaugural Duck Derby to benefit our programs.
Contact:
Board of Directors
Children’s Home Society of Florida's Mid-Florida Division Board of the Directors supports Children's Home Society of Florida through fundraising, political advocacy and community development.
2010-2011 Mid-Florida Board of Directors
Franklin Lentz, Jr., Chairman
Mark Avera
Darrell Card
Alan Chatman
Rep. Charles Chestnut
Cindy Coleman
John Donahue
Kent Guinn
Mailande "Becker" Holland
Michele Kavanagh
Dan Kuhn
Sally Lazo
Kevin McDonald
Truitt Oliver
Carl Walls
Dana Parker
Contact:
Internships
Our “Embracing Children. Inspiring Lives.” Internship Program offers hands-on learning and experience in a variety of settings. We have internship opportunities in programs dedicated to breaking the generational cycle of abuse and neglect for increasing numbers of children. Programs accepting interns include:
Family Visitation Center (Positions available in Gainesville, Ocala and Lake City)
Tot Spot Thrift Store
Development (Positions available in Ocala and Gainesville)
- Media Intern
- Events Intern
- Cultivation Intern
- Volunteer Coordinator Intern (available only in Gainesville)
The following programs do not have listed positions but applications are still accepted:
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Adoptions* (Help children find their forever families.)
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Dependency* (Assist case managers in helping abused and neglected children.)
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Healthy Families* (Provide families with information, guidance, emotional and practical support.)
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Family Partners Program* (Help provide counseling, parent education and support services to at-risk families.)
* Master-level internships also available for theses programs.
Though our internships are not paid, you’ll benefit from working closely with seasoned professionals dedicated to serving children and families in our community. As you apply your knowledge in the workplace, you’ll see firsthand how your contributions and expertise can change lives.
Qualifications
To qualify for an internship, you must be enrolled to receive college credit for the internship.
Application
If you’d like to gain valuable experience while making a considerable difference in the lives of children and families, we invite you to apply to join our team. Simply fill out the
Intern Application and e-mail it to
InternMidFlorida@chsfl.org with your resume.
Applications will not be accepted without a resume.
Contact
Speakers' Bureau
Speakers' Bureau
Our Speakers' Bureau is an outreach program to raise awareness of and educate about the importance of child abuse prevention and intervention within our communities. This free program is available to the business community, churches, clubs, homeowners' associations, schools and other organizations. Qualified, professional staff members speak on a variety of subjects, including:
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Adoption process
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County facts and affairs
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Importance of family counseling and mentoring
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How to make a difference in the community
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What children expect from their forever families
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Current issues and statistics
We can help you choose the right topic, or you can request a speaker to tailor a presentation to your audience’s specific needs. Once we find the right speaker for you, we’ll coordinate his/her participation, and we’ll also ensure the presentation meets your needs. We look forward to sharing CHS’ heartwarming stories and fascinating history with your group.
Please note - We need to know specifics relating to audio-visual equipment, as well as the size of the audience.
Contact:
Volunteers
Volunteers work with programs assisting with breaking the cycle of child abuse for more children in our area. Together, we'll strive to ensure every child is safe, healthy and prepared for life. Volunteer opportunities include:
Tot Spot Thrift Store Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to work in the store and assist with task such as sorting and organizing donations, cleaning, pricing and assisting customers.
Volunteers are asked to commit to working at our Tot Spot thrift store two hours a week. If you are unable to make this commitment, please contact us. We are willing to work with you to accommodate your schedule.
Volunteers who commit to working at least two hours a week are eligible for a 10 percent discount after their first month. This discount is valid for the duration of their volunteer commitment.
Volunteers are required to fill out a volunteer application. Background checks and fingerprints will be performed on all volunteers.
Tot Spot Thrift Store Community Event Volunteers
The Tot Spot thrift store offers weekly and monthly community events in the store. We are in need of volunteers who would be interested in assisting with these events. Some examples of events include: reading days, arts and crafts, fall festival, BBQ, and face painting.
Family Visitation Center Volunteers
Volunteers are needed in Ocala and Lake City to monitor and supervise court-ordered supervised visits between parents and their children. Volunteers must commit to volunteer for a minimum of three months for one to two hours a week.
Volunteers are required to fill out a volunteer application. Background checks and fingerprints will be performed on all volunteers.
Program Support
Our offices would greatly benefit from volunteers willing to assist in general office tasks. The tasks may include filing, data entry, making phone calls, and greeting clients and visitors at the office.
Special Event Volunteers
Volunteers are needed throughout the year to assist with special events. Check back often for updated special event needs!
Just Between Friends Sale
September 20-25: Gainesville’s Just Between Friends (JBF) sale is right around the corner! JBF is the nation’s largest maternity and children’s consignment sales event. It will take place in the Alachua County Fairgrounds Exhibition Building, located at 2900 NE 39th Avenue, Gainesville.
JBF will be supporting Children’s Home Society of Florida by collecting donations of diapers and formula and donating consignors' unsold items to the organization.
Card Party
September 22: Our auxiliary is hosting a Card Party. We need volunteers from about 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to assist with different task such as selling tickets, registration and clean up.
Flyers
We need volunteers to help post flyers around town and on campus for our Tot Spot thrift store and for special events throughout the year.
Group Opportunities
Contact us at the e-mail address listed below if you have a group interested in volunteering. Special events and the Tot Spot thrift store are great ways for a group to get involved!
Donation Drives
Holding a donation drive is a great way to help Children's Home Society of Florida! Some ideas for what can be collected include: clothing, diapers, books, school supplies, holiday gifts, etc. Contact us for more information.
Application:
If you’d like to gain valuable experience while making a considerable difference in the lives of children and families, we invite you to apply to join our team. Simply fill out the Volunteer Application and mail it to:
Children's Home Society of Florida
Attn: Volunteer Coordinator
711 NW First Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
Questions? e-mail VolunteerMidFlorida@chsfl.org.
Contact:
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please e-mail VolunteerMidFlorida@chsfl.org.
Wish List
Mid-Florida
Wish List
Amusement park tickets
Sporting goods (ex: tennis rackets)
Children's toys
Children's books
Photo albums
Scrapbook supplies
Disposable cameras
Toddler beds
Cribs
Bedding
Bunk Beds
Suitcases
Baby items
Strollers
Diapers
New car seats/booster seats
Personal items
Personal hygiene supplies
Household items (ex: brooms)
Gift certificates (Publix, Walmart, Target, etc.)
School supplies
Family Visitation Center
Our Family Visitation Centers provide safe, nurturing, home-like environments for children and their parents to spend time together during court-supervised visits.
New roof
New video monitoring system
Junior League of Ocala's Haven House
The Junior League of Ocala's Haven House is a six-bed residential program for girls ages 10-18 who can no longer live safely at home. While at Haven House, the girls receive emotional, physical and nurturing resources from positive role models who work to empower the teens with skills to build their self-confidence and social abilities so they may pursue their dreams and achieve their goals.
Tree trimming
Kitchen cabinets
Pavers/stepping stones
Paint for front door
New landscaping
Contact