SANT ROSA COUNTY, Fla. — We have to tell you far too many stories of the horrible cases of neglect and abuse suffered by children right here in our communities.

There are some very special people who have made it their life’s mission to do all in their power to restore those children and bring healing and peace back into their lives.

Angela Avery is one of those Angels In Our Midst.

“I was 22, and I remember reading a study about children who had been the victims of child sexual abuse and how imperative it was for them to have high-quality therapy,” Santa Rosa Kids’ House Therapist Supervisor Angela Avery said. “Suicide is the number two cause of death in young people, ages 10 to 22. That’s a striking statistic to me. If this is how I can change the world, this is how I’d like to try.”

One place where Avery saw that she could help change the world was Santa Rosa Kids’ House. Here she provides therapy for children ages three through high school.

“We see children who have been the victims of chronic neglect or instability in the home, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence,” Avery said. “They may be the victims of violence themselves or traumatic grief, whether it’s a parent who overdoses or is the victim of violence. If you can think of it, we see it here.”

Here they will find someone who will hear them, believe them, and accept them when they are in that moment.

Angela’s space is “their” space. Colleagues will tell you her world centers around bringing hurting children out of dark places.

“She advocates, and she’s taught me to do the same,” Santa Rosa Kids’ House member Nicole Broxson said. “It is a passion and a love for finding the resolve to help these children thrive and come on the other side of these terrible events that have happened to them.”

“Now she will fight for our kiddos when they need something,” Santa Rosa Kids’ House , Executive Director Kelley Sanders said. “She’s not afraid to speak up. She is going to be heard. She’s going to go and talk to all of our other agencies. She’s going to get whatever that kid needs.”

One of the ways Angela keeps her cup filled and ready for the fight is to serve in other ways that bring her joy.

She’s joined Canine Companions, and when she’s not hanging around at a Wahoo’s game with her favorite Watson, she is a puppy sitter for canine trainers.

“Back in May, I did the certification to be a puppy sitter for the puppies in the program, and so I will do that,” Avery said. “We’re very blessed that the Emerald Coast chapter here has welcomed me into it. We are talking about the possibility that we may get a facility dog myself in the future to enhance my work skills here.”

It could be one more thing to help her change the world.

“I feel like that’s where my heart lies,” Avery said.