This year, Justice for Kids was proud to support and celebrate three powerful community gatherings to recognize the incredible people and partnerships driving meaningful change. The Florida’s Children First 2025 Advocates for Children Awards in Orlando, Tampa Bay, and Palm Beach County brought together child advocates, legal and community leaders, and current and former youth in foster care, all of whom stand united in their unwavering commitment to justice, dignity, and opportunity for Florida’s most vulnerable children.
At each event, we honored the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals and organizations whose work strengthens Florida’s child welfare system and advances the missions of Florida’s Children First and Florida Youth SHINE. From legal advocacy and policy reform to mentorship, education, and direct services, these advocates represent the best of what is possible when communities come together on behalf of children.
These celebrations were especially meaningful as they marked the 20th anniversary of Florida Youth SHINE, a groundbreaking, youth-led advocacy organization founded by Florida’s Children First. For two decades, Florida Youth SHINE has empowered young people with lived experience in foster care to become leaders, storytellers, and agents of change — influencing legislation, shaping policy, and improving systems designed to serve children and families.
The impact of Florida Youth SHINE’s work was formally recognized during the 2025 Orlando Advocates for Children Awards, where October 8, 2025, was proclaimed Florida Youth SHINE Day in Orange County. The proclamation honored 20 years of youth leadership, advocacy, and resilience, and acknowledged the critical role young people play in creating better outcomes for their peers.
That momentum continued at the 2025 Tampa Bay Area Advocates for Children Awards, where local leaders proclaimed November 13 as Florida Youth SHINE Day. The Tampa celebration shined a spotlight on the courage and determination of young people who have transformed personal experience into powerful advocacy, using their voices to demand accountability, dignity, and change within child-serving systems.
Across all three events, honorees were recognized not only for individual achievements, but for their collective impact. These celebrations served as a reminder that progress in child welfare is driven by sustained advocacy, collaboration, and a willingness to listen to those most affected by the system — especially youth.
For Justice for Kids, these gatherings reinforced why our work matters. Protecting children requires more than legal expertise; it requires partnership, persistence, and a shared belief that children deserve safety, stability, and opportunity. We are honored to stand alongside Florida’s Children First, Florida Youth SHINE, and advocates across the state who work every day to turn that belief into action.
As we celebrate 20 years of Florida Youth SHINE, we also look ahead — with gratitude for the leaders who paved the way, pride in the young people leading today, and a renewed commitment to building a child welfare system rooted in accountability, justice, and hope.
