Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made a profound statement when he said, \u201cHatred paralyzes life, love releases it, hatred confuses life, love <\/em>harmonizes it, hatred darkens life, love illuminates it.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n For those of us who work in human services, and particularly in child welfare, these words of Dr. King resonate loud and clear on a daily basis. Your love, dedication, and commitment impart hope and illuminate the possibility of a better future to an abused child who may be without hope. Some serve on the front lines and others behind the scenes; some are able to give of their treasure to help meet the needs of vulnerable children, while others give of their time and talent. Together, we are changing lives and making a difference.<\/p>\n In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank just a few amazing African American Leaders who I have had the privilege of serving alongside on our mission to restore, rebuild, and strengthen the lives of the children, youth and families in Brevard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n To all of the amazing African American foster parents, case managers, staff, partners, and leaders in our system of care who give of your time, treasure, and talent, we thank you!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n Patricia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dear Friends, As we commemorate the rich history of African […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3843","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-and-articles","wpautop"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Kimah](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Kimah-Burrell-Compressed-11-14.jpg\")
Kimah Burrell: <\/strong>Thank you for your leadership in the prevention of child abuse and taking the Brevard C.A.R.E.S. team and program into the next era of impact.<\/p>\n![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Michael_Cadore.jpg\")
Mike Cadore<\/strong>: Thank you for your service on the BFP Board and for mentoring Brevard\u2019s at risk youth. Many youth and young adults have found their purpose and passion because of you!<\/p>\n![\"Patrice](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Patrice-Grier-03-04-14-ResizeWeb.jpg\")
<\/strong>Patrice Grier: <\/strong>Thank you for your leadership and service, and for finalizing the adoption process that opens the door to a new chapter in a child and adoptive family\u2019s life.<\/p>\n![\"image002\"](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/image002_resized-e1423081938716.jpg\")
LaChrista Jones: <\/strong>Thank you for your leadership, and your role in placing over 680 children with their forever families. You have a made a difference!<\/p>\n![\"mattj2\"](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/mattj2-e1423083365698-555x600.jpg\")
Matthew Joshua: <\/strong>Thank you for doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Lives have been changed because of you!<\/p>\n![\"TL\"](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/TL.jpg\")
Tracy Little: <\/strong>Thank you for always going above and beyond for our children, youth, and families and for championing Wraparound in Brevard, across the state of Florida, and nationwide.<\/p>\n![\"JM\"](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/JM.jpg\")
Jessica Miles: <\/strong>Thank you for your leadership at Brevard C.A.R.E.S. and for ensuring youth and families have access, voice and ownership. Many lives have been changed because of you!<\/p>\n![\"OG\"](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/OG.jpg\")
Osha Goodwin: <\/strong>Thank you for your unwavering support of those we serve. Your efforts have made a difference.<\/p>\n![\"AP\"](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/AP.jpg\")
Alicia Phillips: <\/strong>Thank you for your leadership at Brevard C.A.R.E.S. and across our system of care. You have touched many lives.<\/p>\n![\"danielles\"](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/danielles.jpg\")
Danielle Santiago: <\/strong>Thank you for working alongside our foster families and Devereux child placing agency staff to ensure quality foster homes are licensed and available for our children and youth.<\/p>\n![\"Paula-Smith-03-04-14-ResizeWeb\"](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Paula-Smith-03-04-14-ResizeWeb.jpg\")
Paula Creed Smith<\/strong>: Thank you for your resilience, perseverance, advocacy, and service as a youth liaison and BFP Board member representing the needs and interests of transitional youth.<\/p>\n![\"Stockton_Whitten-Updated-11-18-11-Resize_for_Web\"](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/Stockton_Whitten-Updated-11-18-11-Resize_for_Web.jpg\")
Stockton Whitten<\/strong>: Thank you for your 11 years of unwavering leadership and service on the BFP Board of Directors and for leading Brevard County into the next era of growth, development and quality living.<\/p>\n![\"GY\"](\"https:\/\/fpocf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/GY.jpg\")
Gay Williams<\/strong>: Thank you for helping to pioneer the local system of care efforts that resulted in CBC of Brevard today known as Brevard Family Partnership. Your leadership paved the way!<\/p>\n