{"id":261504,"date":"2026-05-07T02:12:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T02:12:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/261504\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T02:12:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T02:12:22","slug":"a-n-a-s-friends-initiates-community-conversation-to-support-children-in-foster-care-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/261504\/","title":{"rendered":"A.N.A.\u2019s Friends initiates community conversation to support children in foster care"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Former state Rep. Spencer Roach, a former Guardian ad Litem and foster parent, emphasizes the need for changes in Florida\u2019s foster care system. -COURTESY PHOTO<\/p>\n

A.N.A.\u2019s 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\u2019s foster care system.\n<\/p>\n

Held April 10 at Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers, \u201cAmong Friends: A Conversation about Healing, Belonging and the Power of Connection\u201d attracted 212 guests for a 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.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThe \u2018A.N.A.\u2019 in A.N.A.\u2019s Friends represents children who have been abused, neglected and abandoned, and their \u2018friends\u2019 include those with compassion, understanding and a willingness to advocate for children who often lack a voice in the dependency court system,\u201d said Jessica Stanfield, CEO of the Southwest Florida-based nonprofit. \u201cAmong Friends brought policymakers, caregivers, foster parents and advocates into the same room to initiate conversations that we hope will lead to meaningful action.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\tA.N.A.\u2019s Friends CEO Jessica Stanfield distributes \u2018I\u2019m a Friend\u2019 pins that signify supporters\u2019 pledge to help abused, neglected and abandoned children. -COURTESY PHOTO<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\tMore than 200 attendees at Among Friends initiated a community conversation about challenges impacting children in foster care. -COURTESY PHOTO
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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 \u201cThree Little Words\u201d and \u201cThree More Words,\u201d which follow her personal journey through Florida\u2019s foster care system.\n<\/p>\n

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Author Ashley Rhodes-Courter delivered an emotional, motivating address at A.N.A.\u2019s Friends\u2019 inaugural Among Friends event. -COURTESY PHOTO<\/p>\n

Following Rhodes-Courter\u2019s 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 \u201cA friend can change the life of a child.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

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.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are creating systemic change, and creating the opportunity to break incredibly dangerous cycles,\u201d Rhodes-Courter said. \u201cWith your contributions, you\u2019re able to save children\u2019s lives, and that\u2019s not a flippant catch phrase. That is a living representation of the family system that you have here today.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

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 \u201cA Year is a Long Time in the Life of a Child Act,\u201d and Gov. DeSantis signed it into law in 2019. He\u2019s hoping groups like A.N.A.\u2019s Friends bring about systematic change.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite all the best intentions and efforts of our government to help these children, I think we all agree the government makes a terrible parent,\u201d Roach said. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re all here stepping up to do this work to get these children into permanent homes.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\tSandra Pavelka, Jessica Stanfield and Jeanne Sweeney pose for a photo at Among Friends, a community conversation hosted by A.N.A.\u2019s Friends. -COURTESY PHOTO<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\tLissette Ortiz applauds a speaker during Among Friends, a community conversation about challenges impacting children and teens in foster care. -COURTESY PHOTO
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\u201cAdvocacy is powerful,\u201d Rhodes-Courter added. \u201cYou have a direct opportunity to back an organization that is doing that work.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

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\u2019s Hospital of Southwest Florida.\n<\/p>\n

About A.N.A.\u2019s Friends\n<\/p>\n

A.N.A.\u2019s 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.). \u201cFriends\u201d 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.\u2019s 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<\/a> or call 239-245-7787.<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\tCommunity leader Ron Inge speaks on behalf of the Daniel R. & Anne M. Harper Foundation, presenting sponsor for Among Friends. -COURTESY PHOTO<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\tGuests at Among Friends used QR codes to join a community conversation about challenges impacting children and teens in foster care. -COURTESY PHOTO<\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t Attendees at Among Friends received copies of speaker Ashley Rhodes-Courter\u2019s books that address her struggle through foster care. -COURTESY PHOTO
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