Our Story
A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay opened in 2009 with a vision of providing a safe, nurturing, and loving environment to children in foster care, with a focus on keeping sibling groups together. Our population was young, with many infants and toddlers coming into the system then. We had nurseries and toddler playrooms, a playground for them to encourage healthy outdoor play, and hands on attention which was age appropriate for our population.
But things change.
Almost two decades later, the population at A Kid’s Place is older, with an average age of 13. Kids are staying longer – with an average stay of 18 months. Their needs have changed. And we’ve pivoted with them – turning a toddler classroom into a teen lounge, adding more full-size beds and removing cribs, adding Independent Living classes and Extended Foster Care for kids who don’t get to home again before they age out of the system. But getting kids to unplug and be productive gets harder and harder every year.
Our Vision
Building a Brighter Future – an $8 million Capital Campaign was launched in 2024, to give our older kids the space they need to develop skills and explore opportunities for their future. Construction on our 12,000 square foot facility began in January 2026 and is on track to be open January 2027.
With a courtyard, outdoor covered sports court, and swimming pool along with a test kitchen, music studio, art studio, theater space, computer lab, and fitness area, the MacKinnon Family Activity Center gives our kids plenty of opportunities to test and develop their skills in all sorts of ways. Giving our kids this type of resource just a short walk away helps ensure they are engaged in activities that will not only keep them occupied, but inspire them to see that what they’ve been through, where they’ve come from, doesn’t necessarily define who they will eventually become.
Our Invitation
We are proud to to say that we are in the homestretch of this campaign, having raised $6.8 million dollars in just a few years. We invite you now to be a part of this endeavor. With just over a million dollars left to raise, together we can make a significant difference in the lives of children who have been dealt some of the most difficult of hands to play.
Make your pledge or gift today! You can make a one time gift, set up a recurring gift, or a make a pledge that’s payable over time. We’re happy to work with you to find the kind of giving that works best for you. Be a builder – of brighter futures, bigger dreams, and better tomorrows.
Click below to schedule a tour of our MacKinnon Family Activity Center or feel free to reach out to Samantha Mellen, [email protected] to discuss giving options or naming opportunities.
