Patrick Chen, Isabella Mogollon, Gabriela Valdes, and Kelsie Reid. {courtesy}
A group of students from Coral Glades High School is making waves in the community with a heartfelt initiative to raise awareness about the foster care system.
Members Kelsie Reid, Isabella Mogollon, Patrick Chen, Gabriela Valdes, and Alyssa Harris embarked on the project through their involvement with HOSA – Future Health Professionals, channeling their passion into meaningful action.
The group began with a simple gesture: selling foster care awareness pins. This effort not only raised funds but also sparked meaningful conversations among their peers, shedding light on the challenges faced by children in foster care.
Their commitment quickly grew, leading to a partnership with SOS Children’s Village, where they organized volunteer sessions. During their visits, they sorted clothes at Luke’s Closet and spread holiday cheer by hosting an ornament-making event for foster children.
According to Reid, the group recognized the emotional struggles often faced by foster children and addressed this by holding a birthday card-making event. Knowing that many foster children go without recognition on their special day, the team’s gesture brought joy to those who often feel overlooked.
To extend their impact beyond hands-on activities, the students launched a podcast, Fostering Change, aiming to educate the community on the complexities of the foster care system and its challenges. The podcast serves as a platform to amplify awareness and spark meaningful discussions about solutions.
The group also spearheaded a hygiene drive, collecting over $200 worth of supplies for Kids in Distress, an organization dedicated to supporting children in crisis. Their collaboration with the Student Law Association brought over 200 students together for a “Know Your Rights” panel, featuring expert speakers such as the Supervisor for Foster Care Services of Broward County and an adoption lawyer. This panel offered invaluable resources and insights for individuals navigating the foster care system.
In addition to these efforts, the students conducted community awareness surveys and organized a toy drive, donating nearly $700 worth of gifts to brighten the holidays for foster children.
Looking to the future, the group is planning a Foster Care Awareness Week to further its mission and engage the broader community. According to Reid, their ultimate goal is to establish themselves as a nonprofit organization by the end of the year.
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