During this season of Thanksgiving, we would like to introduce you to some of South Florida’s critically important charities and the passionate leaders who guide them. We are thankful for the good work they are doing in a wide variety of areas from protecting our youth and advocating for single mothers to feeding the hungry or providing safe housing. Each charity is making an eternal difference in our community or the world in some way. We urge you to learn more about them and find a place where you can pitch in or offer encouragement.
Kevin Enders, President
4KIDS
4KIDS is committed to providing hope for children in crisis and the vision of a Home for Every Child. Since 1997, 4KIDS has rescued over 25,000 children from abuse, abandonment and neglect.
4KIDS is based in Fort Lauderdale and also has offices located in both Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast to serve those areas.
Established 1997
Sherry Friedlander, Founder and CEO
A Child Is Missing
A child or elderly person goes missing, parent/guardian calls 911, calls police/sheriff’s officer to scene. If not found, officer calls ACIM, gives the description of the missing, a recorded message is made, satellite mapping system identifies the area, message is sent to area the missing was last seen.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 1996
Joseph Sica, Executive Director
Adoption by Shepherd Care
Adoption by Shepherd Care exists to provide competent and compassionate adoption services to birth parents, prospective adoptive parents, and children needing a forever family.
Based in Hollywood with a satellite office in Altamonte Springs
Established 1980
Shirley Gil, President
Be FruitFul, Inc.
Their mission is to empower, equip, and challenge individuals to embrace principles and activities that promote love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness and self-control. The current focus is on assisting adults and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD and other learning disabilities.
Based in Sunrise
Established 2006
Ashleigh E. Cromer, Executive Director
Be Strong
Be Strong is a student-led, national non-profit organization, creating transformative change in students’ lives through hope and resiliency training.
Based in Deerfield Beach
Established 2015
Joyce Feldman, Founder and President
BiG Children’s Foundation, Inc.
BCF is on a mission to Reshape the Futures of South Florida’s at-risk youth by restoring the health of their mind, body and spirit, and prepare them for a successful future.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
bigchildrensfoundation.org/donate.html
Ronald Brummitt, President
Miami Rescue Mission / Broward Outreach Centers
Transforms the lives of homeless men, women and children through comprehensive residential programs to effect lasting change and empower them to be productive members of society. They provide food, shelter, substance abuse treatment, education, computer literacy, job placement, healthcare, spiritual development and housing with Christian love, compassion and encouragement.
Located in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties
Established 1922
Tewannah Aman, Executive Director
Broward Right to Life
Promotes the sanctity of human life through prayer, church engagement, community outreach and education. They offer biblically-based, Christ-centered programs for teens and adults that transform relationships, restore hope and heal hearts.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 1973
www.browardrighttolife.org/donate.html
Larry Rein, CEO and President
ChildNet
ChildNet is the lead child welfare agency for Broward and Palm Beach counties. As such, ChildNet’s mission is to protect abused, abandoned and neglected children in the communities they serve.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 2002
Laurie Farquhar, Chief Strategy Officer
Church United, powered by NCF South Florida
Unifying, inspiring and empowering the local Church to bring faith, hope and love to South Florida.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 2015
Dr. David Moran, President
CITA-EDU, INC.
Clase Internacional de Teologia Aplicada, translation: International Classroom of Applied
CITA-EDU produces robust, practical Biblical curriculum for digital education online that trains leaders and pastors for planting churches and caring for the burgeoning harvest among Spanish speakers locally and globally.
Based in Pembroke Pines
Founded 2014
Rev. Rick Hunter, Director
The CityChurch Project
The CityChurch Project is a multi-church, multi-denominational, collaborative effort aimed at sparking a movement of effective churches that foster the spiritual, social, and cultural renewal of South Florida.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 2017
Lisa Wanamaker, Executive Director
CityHouse Delray Beach
To provide hope & renewal to homeless single mothers and their children. CityHouse allows the mother to experience real change through a long-term program that offers daily mentoring, accountability, educational opportunities, support and encouragement while giving their children a safe and secure environment to live and thrive in.
Located in Delray Beach
Established 2014
Kelly Miller, President
Cross International
Cross International mobilizes the global Church to transform the poor and their communities materially and spiritually (by providing food, water, housing, medicines, educational resources, etc.) for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Based in Pompano Beach
Established 2001
Dr. Andrea Hazim, President and Founder
Elev8Life educational foundation
Elev8Life is on a mission to see younger generations Discover their God-given IDENTITY and Walk in their PURPOSE! Training middle, high school and college age students to STAND, LEAD and SERVE as Tomorrow’s Leaders Today; utilizing experiential programs for personal growth and development: iDENTIFY Impact annual summer camp, year-round “TLT” leadership team, and more.
Based in S. Florida; students often travel from other states and countries to participate
Established 2015
Charlotte Tchividjian-Sherry, Founder and Executive Director
Ema Ministries (pronounced ee-mah)
Ema exists to restore urban motherhood by ministering to young, single mothers and children in poverty. Ema’s evidence-based programs are transforming lives through mentoring relationships, parental education, and career development.
Based in Pompano Beach (but, serving all of Broward County)
Troy Hardy, Director of Operations
Faith Farm Ministries
Faith Farm is a 67-year-old, free, 440-bed, faith-based, drug and alcohol addiction recovery program for men and women. Students complete an online application for one of our three campuses in Ft. Lauderdale, Boynton Beach or Okeechobee
Based in Boynton Beach
Established 1951
Paco Vélez, President and CEO
Feeding South Florida
Feeding South Florida’s mission is to end hunger in South Florida by providing immediate access to nutritious food, leading hunger and poverty advocacy efforts, and transforming lives through innovative programming and education. Serving 25 percent of the state’s food insecure population, Feeding South Florida distributes 50.5 million pounds of food annually to more than 706,000 individuals – more than 240,000 of whom are children- through direct service programs and network of approximately 300 nonprofit partner agencies
Based in Pembroke Park
Established 1981
Sean Stepelton, Trustee and Director
Festus and Helen Stacy Foundation
It is the mission of the Festus & Helen Stacy Foundation to partner with Christian Ministries that are consistently extending the love, mercy, and teachings of Christ and have demonstrated the ability and potential of making a lasting impact benefiting humankind.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 1980
Andy Fernandez, Executive Director
Firewall Centers
Firewall Centers is an education-focused nonprofit that provides school-based tutoring and mentoring services designed to help low-income students achieve academic success, build character, and transform into servant leaders.
Based in Davie
Established 2003
Beau Heyman, Executive Director
First Care Women’s Clinic
First Care Women’s Clinics empower women facing crisis pregnancies to choose life for their unborn children while sharing the love and good news of Jesus Christ.
Based in West Palm Beach
Established 1983
firstcareforlife.com/get-involved/donate/
Chris Lane, Executive Director
First Priority of South Florida
First Priority exists to organize and connect the Church to form Christian clubs on public middle and high school campuses.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 1998
Dr Judith Ann, President and Dean
Florida Theological Ministries, Inc.
The mission of Florida Theological Ministries, Inc. is to equip, license, certify, and ordain those who are called into ministry. FTM is a non-traditional continuing educational ministry. Their commitment is to offer a Bible-based program that increases knowledge of God’s Truth. Their Mission is to provide those who are called an opportunity to prepare themselves academically, professionally, and spiritually.
Located in North Lauderdale
Established 1998
Alvaro Pereira, Director of Speakers Bureau
Food For The Poor
Food For The Poor provides food, emergency relief, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance primarily in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America.
Based in Coconut Creek
Established 1982
Dennis DeMarois, CEO and Executive Director
Gathering Palm Beach County
The Gathering is a non-denomination Christian Men’s Ministry. They engage men to be fully alive in the Marketplace and beyond. Offering County-wide Connection Groups, New Dad Bootcamps, Pro-Marriage Programs, Evangelistic Breakfasts, Marketplace Bible Studies and Meaningful Resources.
Based in West Palm Beach
Established 1989
Elizabeth Coldren, Founder and Executive Director
Grace Place School, Inc.
They desire to see youth free from sex trafficking and other destructive lifestyles by creatively meeting the needs of at risk youth, empowering them to reach their God given potential.
Grace Place School serves at risk teens in Central Broward and currently meets in two locations: Gracepoint Church and Art Serve in Fort Lauderdale.
Established 2012 with first program offered in 2013
Nancy Robin, CEO and Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of Broward, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity’s Vision: a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat’s Mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Habitat offers a “hand up” not a “hand out” to hard-working families unable to qualify for conventional financing.
Broward County Affiliate based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 1983
habitatbroward.org/get-involved/donate/online-donation/
Joanne Dively, MSW, Program Director
Hannah’s Home of South Florida, Inc.
Hannah’s Home of South Florida is a residential maternity home that provides a safe, loving Christian environment for homeless pregnant women and their babies. Through counseling, life skills, and continued education, they offer hope and transform lives.
Based in Tesquesta
Established 2002
Linda Cichon, Executive Director
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County, Inc.
Their mission is to reduce infant deaths by strengthening families through a comprehensive approach to prenatal care, parenting education and support services for pregnant, parenting women and also educating fathers.
Based in Lauderhill
Established 1987
Yvette DuBose, Executive Director
Heart Gallery of Broward
The Heart Gallery of Broward helps the hardest to place foster children find a forever family. Since inception, they have assisted with more than 300 adoptions from foster care.
Broward County
Established 2006
Becky Dymond, Founder and Executive Director
Hepzibah House
Hepzibah House serves sex trafficking survivors by providing: 1. A safe house and counseling services, 2. Employment, life and job skill training, 3. Raising awareness of modern day slavery.
Based in Central Palm Beach County
Established 2011
Rev. Dr. Ted Greer, Jr., Chief Executive Officer
HOPE South Florida
HOPE South Florida was established in 1996 as a Christian-based ministry to provide in partnership with local congregations HOPE for the homeless and hurting in our community. This mission is accomplished through the provision of shared meals, mobile showers, crisis housing assistance, Rapid ReHousing and case management services and support teams for families through partnerships with local churches. Their focus is to serve homeless families and Veterans in Broward County.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 1996
Suzanne Marcellus, Founder and President
House of Protection, Inc.
Their mission is to be a safe place where children and families are equipped and empowered to overcome life obstacles, as they guide them to their God given purpose.
Based in Pompano Beach
Silvia M. Smith-Torres, Executive Director
His House Children’s Home
His House is a faith-based organization that restores the lives of children and families. They provide residential group and shelter care for children who have been abused, abandoned and neglected.
Based in Miami-Dade
Established 1989
Nancy McDonald, President and CEO
Hope Women’s Centers
Hope Women’s Centers exists to encourage and equip women and men to make informed decisions regarding unplanned pregnancies.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 1987
For patients: hopewomenscenters.com For partners: friendsofhope.com
Susan Michael, USA Director
International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
For over 38 years, ICEJ has shown Christian love to Israel through practical assistance, humanitarian aid, and assisting immigrants. Through branches in 90 nations, they educate churches and advocate for Israel.
Established 1980 in Jerusalem
Global headquarters: Jerusalem, US Branch: Tennessee
Lori Chaisson, Founder and President
Into The Clearing
The mission of this non-profit organization is to provide mentoring, training and financial help designed to provide young, single moms with the tools to develop a strong commitment to establishing personal, family and work habits and skills which will produce positive changes in their life and lives of their children.
Based in Boynton Beach in Palm Beach County
Established in 2012
Donation page: intotheclearing.org
Sandra Muvdi, President and CEO
Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation
Muvdi created the Foundation in memory of her only child. JJCCF is committed to providing emergency financial relief to help families fighting childhood cancer pay for everyday necessities such as housing, food and medical. The assistance, often described as a lifeline, allows families to focus on the child’s survival.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 2004
Robyn Wilk, Branch Director
Jews for Jesus
They relentlessly pursue God’s plan for the salvation of the Jewish people. If you or someone you know wants to learn more, they invite you to get together over a cup of coffee!
HQ is in San Francisco. Locally, they are considered all of South Florida (Miami Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties). Their local office will soon be in Boca Raton.
Established 1973 (32 A.D. give or take a year)
Mark D. Dhooge, President and CEO
Kids In Distress, Inc.
The mission of KID is to prevent child abuse, preserve the family and provide treatment to children affected by abuse, abandonment and neglect. KID serves over 11,000 children annually via a continuum of care ranging from family strengthening through foster care and adoption services.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 1979
Donation Page: kidinc.org
Dr. Melanie Geddes, President and CEO
LifeNet4Families
LifeNet4Families’ mission is to be a seamless system of care for those in need in Broward County by providing food, ancillary services and referrals.
Based in Lauderhill
Established 1985
lifenet4families.org/portal/ways-to-give
Lisa May, Executive Director
Live the Life South Florida
Live the Life exists to strengthen marriages and families through healthy relationship education beginning in middle school through senior adults.
Based in Tallahassee
Established 1998 corporately, 2013 South Florida office
Dr. Rosby L. Glover, Executive Director
Mount Bethel Human Services Corporation, Inc.
Founded by Bishop Glover to serve the least, the lost and the left out, their mission is to provide help, hope and healing to those who need it the most.
Based in Fort Lauderdale and Stuart
Established 1993
Steven Holland, COO
National Christian Foundation South Florida
Since 2003, NCFSF has worked with 998 ministries and churches, equipped 750 influencers with leadership training, and invested $175.8 million of client donations to non-profits who excel at transforming lives.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 2003
Jon Laria, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
OneHope, Inc.
OneHope’s mission is to affect destiny by providing God’s Word. Together with churches, ministries, local governments, and schools, we present the Gospel to children and youth in a way they can understand.
Based in Pompano Beach
Established 1987
Aggie Pappas, Regional Executive Director
Pace Center for Girls Broward
Pace Center for Girls provides girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy.
Based in Wilton Manors
Established 2001
Charles L. Bender III, Founding CEO
Place of Hope, Inc.
Place of Hope is dedicated to providing stable, loving family environments for children and youth who are hurting and their families, and is committed to meeting desperate needs in the community.
Based in Palm Beach Gardens
Established 2001
Robin Martin, Executive Director
Rebuilding Together Broward County
Rebuilding Together’s mission is Repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives. In partnership with the community, their goal is to eliminate unsafe and deplorable living conditions for low-income homeowners who are elderly, veterans, and/or have disabilities.
Based in Oakland Park
Established 2003
Oksana Horton, Director
Revelation Ministries, Inc.
Using the performing arts to illustrate spiritually-themed content, along with the Gospel, in a dynamic and visual way that touches the mind and heart of believers and the unbelievers alike.
Based in Coral Springs
Established 1995
Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder and President
SAINTS of Florida Homeschool P.E. & SAINTS International Sports Ministry
“Where Jesus is Lord and Every Child is a Winner!”
SAINTS is a Christ-Centered Professional Physical Education Program that shares the love of Jesus Christ with thousands of children around the world using the platform of sports. SAINTS currently ministers to children throughout four states and five countries. Founded in 1997, our ultimate Prayer is to share the Eternal Message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 1997
Josiah Stephan, M.S., Executive Vice President
South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary
South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary is an institution of higher learning where the Bible is central in preparing men and women for ministry to serve Christ and His Church through Biblical thought and Christian life.
Based in Deerfield Beach
Established 1985
Coach Bob Bemis, Co-Founder and Executive Director
South Florida HEAT Home Educated Athletic Teams
Servant Leadership–Competitive Maturity. For 14 years, the SFHEAT has been a home for the home schooler—athletically, spiritually, and socially. Aligned with Florida High School Athletic Association, they compete with, and against public and private Middle and High Schools in the Tri-County area in multiple sports.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 2004
Linda Mills, Broward County Director
Special Olympics Florida – Broward County
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year round sports training and competition in Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, athletes, and the community.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 1973
JoAnne Daudt, President
StrikeForce 421, Inc.
StrikeForce 421 is a Christ-centered organization that awards financial grants to selected Christian non-profit ministries in the South Florida area who serve those in need and proclaim the gospel.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 2012
Linda Giambattista, Co-Founder and Executive Director
Taylor’s Closet Foundation
Taylor’s Closet exists to bring love and hope to teenage girls so they will fully understand their worth, know their value and realize their God-given destiny. They host an after school, student-led program called Bloom, meeting weekly at a local high school. They offer shopping on their mobile store, The Bloom Bu.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 2004
Rick Fernandez, Executive Director
Teen Challenge Southeast Region
Our goal is to put hope within reach of those struggling with addiction. by offering life transformation to people through Christ-centered residential programs; allowing them to lead the purposeful life God intended for them.
Based in Davie
Founded in New York in 1958 / The local center was incorporated in 1984
Stan Smith, Co-Founder and Board Member
Thank You First Responder
Thank You First Responder is a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to raise awareness, support, celebrate and honor First Responders who put their lives on the line every day to protect us.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 2016
Donation Page: thankyoufirstresponder.org/
Alex Cruz, Co-Founder
The 22 Project
Psalm 22:24 The 22 Project Foundation treats veterans that suffer from PTSD & TBI with holistic treatments and seeks to point our servicemen & women to a restored life with Christ.
Based in Delray Beach
Established 2014
the22project.givingfuel.com/donate
Dr. Verna Bugg, Executive Director
The Lion’s Den Missions Base
The Lion’s Den Missions Base is a non-profit, community support-based organization powered by volunteers that provides disaster relief, emotional care, spiritual enrichment, and material resource distribution to the communities served.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established 2015
Donation Page: themissionsbase.org/
Major Candice Biggers, Area Commander
The Salvation Army – DOING THE MOST GOOD
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet Human needs in His name without discrimination.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established in London, England in1865, the U.S. in 1880, Fort Lauderdale in 1926
Donation Page: salvationarmyfortlauderdale.org
Major Henry Hudson, Administrator
The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center
For over 100 years The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers have provided spiritual, social, and emotional assistance for men and women who have lost the ability to cope with their problems and provide for themselves. Centers offer residential housing, work, and group and individual therapy, all in a clean, wholesome environment.
Based in Fort Lauderdale
Established in London, England in 1865, the U.S. in 1880, Fort Lauderdale in 1926
Donation Page: fortlauderdale.satruck.org/
Lou Ellen Hardy, LMHC, Founder/President
The Well of Sychar
The Well provides no-fee, Christ-centered mental health counseling to women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. They also provide training concerning domestic abuse within the church body.
Based in Hollywood
Incorporated Dec 2009, Opened to clients April 2011
Donation Page: thewellofsychar.org/Page_2.html
Bob DePasquale, Certified Kingdom Advisor®, CAP®, CFP® , FIC, Wealth Advisor
Thrivent
A 501©8 (fraternal benefit society), Thrivent is a membership organization of Christians. They help people be wise with money and live generously. The result is stronger members, families and communities.that fulfill their God-Given purpose.
Home office in Minneapolis, MN and operations center in Appleton, WI
Established in 1902
Dee Proietto, Founder
Trees of Hope
Trees of Hope is committed to protecting the future and healing the past from sexual abuse. They do this by educating parents on ways to prevent sexual abuse and offering survivor-led healing groups to those who have been affected by abuse.
Based in Fort Lauderdale/Wilton Manors, serving South Florida and Orlando
Established 2008
Bill Hobbs, President and Founder
Urban Youth Impact
They love and equip inner-city students with literacy, life and job skills, and empower them to become Christ-like, employable leaders that fulfill their God-Given purpose.
Based in West Palm Beach
Established 1997
urbanyouthimpact.com/donate.html
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