OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE,
LOVING & Nurturing HOME
FOR FOSTER CHILDREN

A Kid’s Place provides residential services to children from birth to age 18, who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment.

We provide a variety of services which meet the social, educational, medical, and psychological needs of the child. Our primary focus is to keep sibling groups together in a safe, stable, home-like environment until a more permanent placement can be provided.

A Kid’s Place is a unique program designed to support the foster care system by providing state of the art residential care for siblings.

Prior to June, 2009, a sibling group of 2 or more children removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment were often separated. Brothers and sisters were and sent to different foster families or group homes depending on availability, the child’s age, or special needs of the children. Studies that evaluate the outcome of separating siblings have determined that it is more detrimental to split brothers and sisters than it is to separate them from their parents.

A Kid’s Place was designed as a solution to issues regarding child welfare services in our community, and is a model program in the child welfare system, adhering to and exceeding best practices in this field.

Our Siblings Connected program and House Parent model are what make A Kid’s Place unique, as brothers and sisters are allowed to be placed together and begin to heal from the trauma they’ve endured in a safe and loving home-like environment.

Development of public support and awareness is done solely through our Board of Directors, dedicated staff, volunteers, and individual and corporate philanthropy. Our signature fundraising events include the A Kid’s Place Golf Classic, Home is Where the Heart is Holiday Stroll, and our Fostering Hope Black Tie Gala.

CHECK US OUT

WHO

A Kid’s Place focuses on keeping brothers and sisters together during their time in foster care. We provide quality residential care for the communities most vulnerable children throughout the Tampa Bay area.

WHEN

We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

DID YOU KNOW

We are a big family; every week we consume 40 gallons of milk, 70 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, 95 boxes of cereal, run 200 loads of laundry, and use 400 gallons of gasoline.

WHAT

Residential foster care ensures that the needs of children are met when they can not live with their own family. At A Kid’s Pace, not only do we provide residential care, we create stability, normalcy, and give children the tools they need to reach their full potential in a safe and loving home.

HOW

We rely heavily on monetary donations as well as food, clothing and entertainment items. Our children often come to us with only a garbage bag of belongings, sometimes less. While living with us at A Kid’s Place we give each child an individualized plan to help them heal from the trauma they’ve endured. They are clothed with new and gently used items, fed healthy meals, and provided a warm, clean bed. We ensure each child receives a personal healthcare plan which includes Dr’s visits, dental service, and weekly on-site therapy. We also host 4 on-site classrooms and teach independent life skills. Toys and books that have been generously donated to us provide hours of entertainment and joy to these children as they settle into their new surroundings. Our volunteers and donors provide generously for our children, helping to enhance their lives and giving memorable experiences during their time here.

RESOURCES

AKP Info Sheet
Guidelines for Community Fundraisers
Ways to Help
A Kid’s Place Information Postcard
Quick Stats about AKP
boy and girl smiling and hugging

SEE THE DIFFERENCE

“I chose to run for Honorary Mayor of Brandon to support A Kid’s Place because of how strongly my wife, Wendy, and I feel about children.  This charity truly makes a difference in the life of a child.”

Honorary Mayor Jack Bartlett

“Volunteering is so very rewarding to me – to think I might be helping someone…I guess that’s my purpose in life.”

Carolyn Summers

Pantry volunteer for 9 years

The children feel safe here. They know that there is food, clothing, heat and water and no one is going to hit or hurt them. They feel cared for, probably for the first time in their short lives.

Alice Gray

A Kid’s Place Teacher

I feel so strongly that Brea was placed at A Kid’s Place for a reason. She needed time to get herself together and be around other adults who cared for her. She received this and so much more at A Kid’s Place. I am so grateful that you gave Brea so many more chances than she probably deserved. I am forever grateful or the love and discipline A Kid’s Place gave her.

Guardian Ad Litem for A Kid’s Place

Every morning I drive down Lithia Pinecrest Road and get caught behind the school bus in front of A Kid’s Place” the man wrote. “Usually when I get behind a school bus I feel stressed, but watching those kids file onto the bus is so heartwarming I don’t mind stopping anymore. You must have 30 kids of all races and sizes getting onto that bus, and I watch the house parents give high fives, kiss tops of heads, hold hands, and wave as the bus takes off. Man, I gotta tell you – I get a lump in my throat every time. I wish A Kid’s Place had been around when I was a foster kid.

Anonymous

A Kid’s Place delivers unparalleled care to at risk children because every staff member lives a culture that embodies their Mission Statement of providing a safe, loving, and nurturing home. Each child experiences the understanding, compassion and care unique to their needs because A Kid’s Place believes every child is special.”

Steve Ratcliff

Board Member

I met Dottie Berger MacKinnon over fifteen years ago and her passion for protecting children was instantly contagious. She asked me to become active in child welfare and I have stayed involved ever since. A Kid’s Place makes a huge difference in the lives of children who need our help, and my involvement with the board of directors allows me to have an impact. Our Board is comprised of a wonderful and compassionate group of people who believe in raising the bar for foster care. My family and I may not be able to fully comprehend what our kids at a Kid’s Place truly go through, but we are comforted knowing that there is a caring community willing to support these children who are most in need.

Joe Troy

Board Member

As a teacher for 38 years, I’ve always taken pride in the fact that I don’t teach curriculum, I teach children! Providing opportunities in a positive environment helps our kids develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, physically, and linguistically. Daily, I aspire to bring them joy and to make them feel as special as they are!”

Cathy Simmons

A Kid’s Place Teacher

Homes by WestBay is a locally owned company and this is our Hometown. We love the fact that A Kid’s Place is a local organization committed to providing a loving home for abused children, while keeping siblings together. We are doing community together.

Beth Bradburn

Board Member

I continue to be amazed by the life-changing services provided by A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay. It is heartbreaking to think of an innocent child being abused, abandoned, or neglected. I am grateful that we have an organization such as A Kid’s Place providing a safe and loving environment for these fragile children to heal. Our company is proud to have A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay as a community partner; we will continue to utilize our platform of giving to support their valiant efforts

Kevin Ricci, Owner

Covelli Family Limited Partnership, a franchisee of Panera, LLC.

9 years ago I started Birthday Bunch as a volunteer looking to get involved. Years later it has turned into a small community of people who believe that all kids deserve to be celebrated on their big day. Within 20 minutes of posting a wish list, each and every child is taken care of and presents are donated from Birthday Bunch supporters. It always amazes and inspires me to see the love and excitement adults have when they get to bring birthday surprises to the children at A Kid’s Place. These kids really get to see how much they are truly cared about.

Betsy Moriarty

Birthday Bunch Founder

We are proud to partner and support the work at A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay. The positive impact they make with the children and families they work with is just amazing!

Randy Steil

Tijuana Flats Just In Queso Foundation Executive Director

“Our kids have had a rough time before they came to us, and chances are they will have a rough time after they leave – maybe for a long time. Somewhere down the road they are going to remember that there was a period in their lives when life was good, when people cared, and there were loving people in this world who made them feel special – because they are. That’s A Kid’s Place. WE all do our little part to make these children feel loved.

Dottie Berger MacKinnon

Visionary and Founder

Growing up with a single mother, my brother and I had to rely on each other. No matter what hardship we went through, my brother was always there to lean on. At A Kid’s Place, siblings have that same opportunity, to stay together and lean on each other through their most vulnerable times. Seeing siblings staying together, healing from the trauma they’ve endured, makes me proud to be a part of this incredible team that strives for excellence every day.

Adam H. Palmer

Chairman of the Board

Over a decade ago we envisioned A Kid’s Place as warm and welcoming homes for foster children. I am infinitely pleased that our dream was realized so thoroughly, but that it also included that A Kid’s Place would manifest itself into an organization that operates with integrity and an unparalleled commitment to creating a positive culture inclusive of children, staff, and this community.

DeDe Grundel

Founding Board Member

I was recently able to work alongside the fine staff at A Kid’s Place with some of my co-workers. As someone who went through the foster care system, separated from my siblings, I know the importance and value of a place like this. please keep up the phenomenal work and I look forward to volunteering with you all again.

Summer Camp Corporate Volunteer