Delegations from Circles USA Florida chapters (including Circles Palm Beach County and parent organization Pathways to Prosperity, as well as Circles Central FL/Poverty Solutions Group) came together with pride for this year’s Children’s Week Florida. The event, hosted from Feb. 25 – Mar. 1 at the State Capitol in Tallahassee, is Florida’s largest annual event celebrating and honoring its commitment to children and advocates.
Children’s Week Florida began in the mid-90s as a single-day grassroots event. The weeklong festival is now “a year-round initiative that strengthens Florida’s families and communities… Through a variety of interactive events, educational activities, and outreach efforts, Children’s Week Florida™ seeks to elevate the diverse needs of Florida’s children and youth to our state leaders while acknowledging their achievements. Thousands of attendees including legislators, public officials, nonprofit organizations, business leaders, child and youth advocates, teachers, students, and families attend Children’s Week Florida™ at the State Capitol each year during the legislative session. In addition, Children’s Week and its Partners support numerous community-focused events and activities that take place across the state throughout the year.” [Source]
FL state leaders, elected officials, child and youth advocates, partners, teachers, children and families were on hand for this year’s festivities. Notable guests included representatives from the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Health (DOH), Education (DOE) and Juvenile Justice (DJJ), as well as President Designate Senator Ben Albritton and Speaker Designate Representative Danny Perez.
Other Children’s Week activities included a Storybook Village for little ones; a screening of the film Speak Life End Bullying the Musical; a Teen Day geared to help young adults learn the history of the legislature and its processes, tour the old and new state house, and meet with lawmakers and lobbyists to discuss issues impacting youth in Florida; and a virtual “Thoughtful Thursday,” which offered online learning sessions about the impact of trauma and afterschool program advocacy.
Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris says, “[Children’s Week] has demonstrated what it means to prioritize the best interests of our state’s children and youth through sound policy, strategic investments, and strong partnerships. Children’s Week is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together and magnify ‘One Voice,’ united around supporting resilient families. This week and all year, I encourage every Floridian to reflect on ways they can positively impact children in their lives and communities.”
Circles Central Florida chapter youth created “Celebration of Hands” artwork that was displayed in the Rotunda of the Florida State Capitol— “to remind legislators [of] who is impacted by the decisions they make,” said Lynette Fields of Poverty Solutions Group. “[Our chapter] created their hands display at their weekly meetings, and then some of the Circles families got to see them in person…How cool is that? Our intergenerational group attended Children’s Week to let them know their voices can be heard at any age.” [Source]
Executive Director, Lynette Fields with Poverty Solutions Group, Lead Organization for Circles Central Florida Executive Director (in the middle), Kemberly Bush with Pathways To Prosperity – P2P, Lead Organization for Circles Palm Beach County (2nd from right). Also pictured left to right: Jodi Schwartz, Bentoria Murray, and Pastor Dames
From Lynette’s facebook page, “Children’s Week is all about connection and collaboration to support the children in Florida. Circles Central Florida was delighted to connect with Circles Palm Beach County last week in Tallahassee. Celebrating our common purpose of Building Community to End Poverty and amplifying voices of those with lived experience. Had information about both Circles Chapters and Circles USA at our table on the 3rd floor in the Rotunda of the State Capitol on Children’s Day.”