A mother holds a child. A blue illustrative light is emitted from a blue bulb onto the child

Light the Way An Abuse-Free Tampa Bay

Each day, there is an average of 88 reported cases of child abuse and neglect in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. Half of those are for children 5 years and younger. 

Each day, an average of 68 babies are born in the Tampa Bay area. 

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the path to a prevention is here.

Make a real difference for Tampa Bay families in need.

Childhood trauma can have life-long impact. With your help, Champions for Children can continue providing parents with the tools they need to keep children safe and families together. Together we can light the way on the path toward prevention.

Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties are among the highest in Florida for the most reported and confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect.

About 1 in 7 children experienced child abuse and neglect in the last year in the United States.

Light the Way Soirée

Raising a New Generation

Join us for this special evening as we raise awareness and critical funds for our mission. This year, we are honored to present the Cornelia Corbett Child Advocate Award to Ms. Robin DeLaVergne.

We invite you to connect with our mission, enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment and an opportunity drawing.

Details: 
Date: April 30th
Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: Shanna & Bryan Glazer JCC; 522 N. Howard Ave.; *Valet Parking Available
Dress: Cocktail or Business Attire

The potential for change is great. Together, we can unlock it and light the path toward a brighter future for Tampa Bay area families.

For decades, Champions for Children has been developing a culture of support for Tampa Bay families through proactive child abuse prevention. Through our education programs, Champion’s sponsors have empowered parents to become better community members — because they’re raising the next generation of community leaders.

Ways you can help now.

April is #Child Abuse Prevention Month and Champions for Children is shining a light on the prevention of child abuse and neglect.  Together, we can light the way toward a brighter future for children in the Tampa Bay area. 

Join our campaign by supporting or sponsoring, sharing the work we do, and making plans to attend our special event, the Light the Way Soiree. Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC in Tampa, FL.

Attend Our Soirée

Enjoy live entertainment and cocktails as we highlight the CFC mission and honor the impactful work of 2024 Cornelia Corbett Child Advocate Award recipient. View event details at our event page, here.

Become a Sponsor

Make a bigger impact through one of our five sponsorship levels. Benefits include VIP seating, marketing support, company social media highlights and more.

Share on Social Media

Download our social media toolkit, linked here, and help us create awareness of prevention during April!

Make a donation. Your gift is at work.

We know the path to prevent child abuse and neglect. Here are a few ways your giving makes a big impact.  Together, we can light the way toward a brighter future for children in the Tampa Bay area.

Make a Donation

Your contribution immediately helps fund the critical support services that Tampa Bay families need to create nurturing environments for their children. By partnering, together we can have a profound impact on the children and families we serve.

Roger and Yohama

When Yohama learned that Roger, her one-year-old son, had developmental speech delays, she was desperate for answers. Thanks to Parents as Teachers, Roger experienced drastic improvements. Through the course of the program, his developmental and social interaction skills have grown. Read more in our 2023 Impact Report. 

Lillian and Rosies Story

Rosie and Lillian

At 21 weeks, Lillian’s water broke, and she tragically lost her son after his first day of life. A few years later, with the birth of Rosie, her second child, Lillian returned. Layla’s House welcomed her and offered a community and emotional support system that helped her have a positive start to life for her little one. Read more in our 2023 Impact Report. 

Cindy and Luke

Cindy enrolled in Champions’ Positive Parenting & Partnership as a condition for reunification. Her reluctance changed as she learned the classes were designed to build upon her existing strengths and equip her to address parenting challenges. Now reunited with their boys, Cindy and Luke say their family dynamic has dramatically transformed thanks to the support. Read more in our 2023 Impact Report.

$50

One hour of individualized case support services to help a family access crucial community resources.

$300

One walk-in breastfeeding clinic OR five 1-on-1 consults for new moms struggling with infant feeding.

Monthly Gift

$5/Mo – Developmental checkup and five weeks of educational playgroups.

$42/Mo – Educate a class of new dads about newborn care and positive parenting.

During April, make plans to join us in lighting the way!

Date Join us!
April 1 Light the Way Campaign Launch

  • Download our social media toolkit and share the campaign with friends and family!
April 10 Wear Blue and Bring Awareness!

  • Wear blue and let your friends and family know why. (Download our social media toolkit for more!)
  • Tampa Bay area sites will be lit blue to bring awareness! Look for them and share pics on social! (Key sites include the Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Park, the Straz Center for Performing Arts, and The Tropicana.)
April 25 Sip and Shop with us at J. McLaughlin (Hyde Park Village) from Noon to 4 p.m. J. McLaughlin will be donating 15% of sales to Champions for Children!
April 30 Make plans to join us for our Light the Way Soiree!

6-8 p.m.

Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC; 522 N. Howard Ave.

Event tickets and details, here

“Layla’s House is my second home – where I can go when I need emotional support or am exhausted…This is not just Layla’s House, but my house.”

Lillian, Participant, Layla's House

“Champions for Children has helped me tremendously. They helped me with parenting courses; plus diapers, wipes, and toys to give my son. They’re helping me give him stuff while I can’t.”

Donnie, Participant, Parenting Classes

“I was working, pregnant, and had a seven-year-old. I came to Baby University — it made me a better mother. And I have someone I can reach out to if something goes wrong or if I need help.”

Eddiesha, Participant, Layla’s House

Raising a new generation.

Raising a New Generation

For decades, Champions for Children has been developing a culture of support for Tampa Bay families through proactive child abuse prevention. By supporting our cause, you empower parents to raise happy, healthy children – who will become our next generation of neighbors, colleagues, and community leaders.

For decades, Champions for Children has been developing a culture of support for Tampa Bay families through proactive child abuse prevention. Through our education programs, Champion’s sponsors have empowered parents to become better community members — because they’re raising the next generation of community leaders.

Thanks to Our 2024 Sponsors!

Leader Sponsors: 

Tampa General Hospital Muma Children's Hospital

Change-Maker Sponsors: 

The Family of Joe and Terrell Clark

Supporter Sponsors:

brown and brown insurance

Champions Showcase Sponsors: 

Marian Winters

Friend Sponsors:

Rosemary Armstrong and Morris Weinberg, Jr.
Anne and Joan Gormly
Joan and George Lange
Melissa and Scott Pierce
Amy Weiss and David Spirk
Joan Zinober