What’s New at Champions

At Champions for Children, we have been building stronger families for forty-five years – but that doesn’t mean we’re out of new tricks! As we wrap up the first quarter of 2022, we wanted to take this opportunity to share the latest and greatest news with you about our efforts to bring our proven programs to new families and communities, and to reach them in new ways. Check out our updates below, and then keep reading to learn about exciting upcoming opportunities to connect and join our mission to prevent child abuse and neglect, right here in the Tampa Bay Area!

Our Programs are Thriving

Champions was recently awarded a grant from the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County to help promote the message that learning begins at birth, and to support parents/caregivers in their child’s early learning through fun and play! Our goal is to connect with families who have very young children and provide an experiential introduction to learning through play that includes talking, reading, and singing. 

Meanwhile, we are excited to announce that our abcProgram will be partnering with BayCare to more than double the number of Baby Cafe breastfeeding support clinics we offer throughout Hillsborough County! The first two locations will be in Town ‘n’ Country and Plant City and are expected to open by the end of April 2022. Two others will open in 2023 in locations TBD.

Our Kids on the Block Program has added a new show teaching 1st and 2nd graders about friendship, bullying, and personal safety. This month, KOTB has also hit a major milestone by reaching 100 shows booked so far this school year!

Participants in our Nurturing Dads classes have achieved a record-breaking 90% improvement rate this year, indicating increased parenting confidence and competence. The majority of the fathers who participate in this program are referred by a social work agency and complete the class as a part of their case plan. While it is a requirement, these fathers take what they learn seriously, implement the teachings with their children at home, and consistently develop a passion for becoming the best dads they can be.

Our Parent Warmline launched early in the pandemic, is now two years old! Since it began, the Warmline has helped connect more than 270 families to community resources and Champions in order to holistically meet their needs.

Opportunities to Connect

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month – and we invite you to help change the pattern of child abuse in our community by joining our Child Abuse Prevention Month-long campaign. On April 28th, we will cap off the month with an in-person celebration providing an interactive opportunity to meet our staff and learn about Champions, and honoring Bob & Karen Buesing with the 2022 Cornelia Corbett Child Advocate Award. Visit cfctb.org/capm to see how you can join the campaign.

Champions’ Community Council is a group of individuals who are inspired by the agency’s mission to prevent child abuse and neglect in Hillsborough County. These individuals are dedicated to being ambassadors of the agency and advocating on behalf of this mission. If that inspires you, join us for a small gathering on the porch of Baby Bungalow (3108 W. Azeele St, Tampa) on Thursday, March 24th from 5:30pm-7:30pm. This is an opportunity for members of the Community Council and newcomers to connect and hear about opportunities to get involved with and/or support Child Abuse Prevention Month while enjoying wine and snacks! RSVP by emailing Felicia Powell at [email protected].

Cheers for Champions is back! Cheers for Champions is a happy hour event where folks gather to network with our fellow supporters, get to know the staff who make our work possible, and learn more about how you can help support Tampa Bay children and families. Stay tuned for the date and location of our next Cheers for Champions event!

To stay up-to-date on Champions programming, events, and other ways to support, sign up for our email list by visiting cfctb.org/mailing-list.