Hope and Healing: His House Children’s Home Shines a Light on Human Trafficking Awareness Year-round

Hope and Healing: His House Children’s Home Shines a Light on Human Trafficking Awareness Year-round

By: David Castrillon, Director of Development, His House Children’s Home

South Florida faces a hard reality. It’s the third-highest region in the country for children in foster care and second for human trafficking cases. For His House Children’s Home, these statistics aren’t just numbers, they represent vulnerable lives at risk.

While January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, at His House, the effort to combat this plague is year-round.  His House is amplifying its mission to provide hope and healing to children and families affected by trauma, abuse, and neglect while addressing the critical connection between foster care and human trafficking.

At His House, we see firsthand how the vulnerabilities of foster care can make children easy targets for human traffickers. Children in foster care often come from broken homes and lack stability, making them easy target for manipulation in as little as five days. Human trafficking isn’t just a faraway issue, it’s happening right here, in our own backyard.

The Blue Heart Campaign, Raising Awareness and Promoting Prevention

A key part of His House’s efforts is the Blue Heart Campaign, which educates the community about human trafficking and its devastating impact on children in foster care. The blue heart is a symbol of solidarity with victims and a commitment to fighting this crime.

Through initiatives like the Blue Heart Campaign and partnerships with leaders like State Attorney Katherine Fernandez, we aim to inform the public about the signs of trafficking and the specific risks these children face. Whether it’s at concerts, sports events, or online, predators are targeting vulnerable children using advanced tactics and technology.

The Role of Awareness in Prevention

Education is key to prevention. By bringing this issue into focus, His House empowers the community to recognize red flags and take action. The organization highlights personal stories of children whose lives have been transformed through their programs, giving the issue a deeply human perspective.

Our message is clear, these children are not a product of their circumstances. They deserve a future free from exploitation.

How the Community Can Help

His House invites individuals and organizations to join their mission. From visiting the campus and volunteering to organizing service projects, there are many ways to make a meaningful impact.

People need to know that we are a critical – often last resort safety net – for South Florida’s children. The first step is awareness, the next is action.

As Human Trafficking Awareness Month continues, His House Children’s Home serves as a beacon of hope, calling on the community to protect its most vulnerable members.

For more information about His House Children’s Home, the Blue Heart Campaign, and how to get involved, visit https://www.hhch.org.

Adrienne SimeonHope and Healing: His House Children’s Home Shines a Light on Human Trafficking Awareness Year-round
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Resilience and Belonging: Celebrating Black History Month at His House Children’s Home

Resilience and Belonging: Celebrating Black History Month at His House Children’s Home

By: David Castrillon, Director of Development, His House Children’s Home

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history while celebrating their contributions to society. For His House Children’s Home, the month takes on a deeply personal meaning. It’s a time to honor the rich cultural heritage of many of the children in our care while reinforcing our mission to provide hope and healing to vulnerable families.

Understanding the Challenges

In major metropolitan areas, African American and Latino children disproportionately represent the majority of those in foster care. At His House, we see firsthand the systemic barriers these communities face. Cultural sensitivity is one of the greatest challenges in foster care, yet it’s essential for helping children process their trauma and build a sense of belonging.

That’s why at His House, diversity isn’t just a value, it’s part of our daily work. We hire staff from the same communities as the children we serve, many of whom have experienced similar struggles. This shared connection creates trust and empowers children to see a future beyond their circumstances.

Celebrating Black History Month at His House

His House organizes activities to inspire and educate. From participating in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade to hosting events that honor Black leaders, we strive to help our children connect with their history and build pride in their identity.

But Black History Month is about more than just learning facts—it’s about instilling hope. When children see themselves reflected in stories of resilience and success, they begin to understand that they, too, can overcome challenges.

One of our most inspiring stories involves a young man who spent five years in our care. After aging out of the foster system, he returned to work at the same home where he grew up. Now, he works alongside a mentor who once guided him, proving that with support and determination, it’s possible to create a brighter future.

How You Can Help

Celebrating Black History Month is a collective effort, and we invite the community to join us in uplifting the voices and stories of African Americans. Organizations like the NAACP, along with individuals who’ve overcome challenges are welcome to speak and connect with the children in our care.

You can support our mission by volunteering, donating, or organizing educational activities. Whether you’re sharing your own story or simply showing up to inspire, every action helps us provide hope to the children who need it most.

Moving Forward Together

As we celebrate Black History Month, we remain committed to ensuring every child in our care feels seen, heard, and empowered. Their potential is boundless, and with the right support, they can overcome any obstacle.

For more information about His House Children’s Home and how to get involved, visit https://www.hhch.org.

Adrienne SimeonResilience and Belonging: Celebrating Black History Month at His House Children’s Home
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Meet the Hawley family

Meet the Hawley family

The Hawley family is a prime example of love in action. Their first child was placed in their home in 2019 and they immediately embraced him with tender love and care. The moment they met him they fell in love with everything about him. Like Jesus’ mother, Mary, they gave their “yes” to opening their home and hearts to this child. Although there have been many challenges along the way, their unconditional love and God’s grace has allowed them to persevere in their journey.

During the last two years, the family has faced many trials, which included interaction with the birth parents and a deterioration in the child’s behavior. The family worked collaboratively with different service providers to help improve the child’s behaviors both at home and at school. They never lost hope. They created safe spaces in their home for the child to safely express himself and modify inappropriate behaviors. They have been selfless in their love as they reconsidered major life decisions to maintain stability and consistency for this child. They continuously put the child’s needs and interests first without hesitation.

They love like Jesus loved, by giving of themselves. It is with great pleasure that we highlight the Hawley family for the month of December.

We need more foster families like the Hawley’s. To learn how you can become a foster parent contact Dudly Decoste, ddecoste@hhch.org.

Adrienne SimeonMeet the Hawley family
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Meet Jacqueline

Meet Jacqueline

The role of a foster parent is essential in helping children heal from the trauma that brought them into foster care. Foster parents not only provide a loving and stable home, but they also teach children life skills so they can lead full and productive lives. Through the love, patience, and commitment foster parents provide, children are able to thrive and begin feeling simply like a kid again.

Little Michael has been with Jacqueline since 2018. Since then, Michael has only experienced Jacqueline’s agape love, patience and a deep sense of her commitment to his well-being. Like most foster parents, Jacqueline has experienced difficult personal circumstances and challenges, however, she has always demonstrated willingness to adapt and develop new skills along the way to provide the best care for Michael.

As a result, Michael sees Jacqueline as the one adult that has always been there through his most difficult times. She has ensured that Michael maintains communication with all the important people in his life and that he always feels and is loved like a child of her own. It is a pleasure and honor to nominate Jacqueline.

Children in foster care need a safe and loving family. To find out how you can become a foster family contact Dudly Decoste, ddecoste@hhch.org.

Adrienne SimeonMeet Jacqueline
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Meet Tanishia & Roderick

Meet Tanishia & Roderick

Tanishia and Roderick Stokes have served as dedicated foster parents for the past six years. In that time, they have cared for more than five children, adopted two and are currently fostering one.

Met with many challenges along the way, the Stokes have risen to every occasion with grace and love. Their current foster son has three siblings who they’ve made it a priority to see as often as possible; certainly, more than the minimum required visitations call for. But making this come to pass hasn’t been easy.

Accommodating schedules outside of what is required. Changing their plans around. Meeting at closer locations to the other family. Organizing the entire visit in advanced. These are all efforts the Stokes have made to ensure the siblings don’t miss out on spending time with each other and being a part of major family events.

The Stokes are constantly striving to do the very best by any child they cross paths with. Their unwavering dedication to the children makes evident how passionate they are about family and sibling bonds.

Children in foster care need a safe and loving family. To find out how you can become a foster family contact Dudly Decoste, ddecoste@hhch.org.

Adrienne SimeonMeet Tanishia & Roderick
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Meet Henry & Sarah

Meet Henry & Sarah

Henry and Sarah have been foster parents for a little more than a year. They exemplify what it means to foster children in our system of care. They advocate for the children’s daily and long-term needs, they are present not just in the home but also in school settings, with therapists and the biological family. They are working toward what is in the best interest of the children in their home.

We are grateful to be fostering with His House on this journey because we too get to be a part of God’s plan and His House’s mission of bringing wholeness and restoration to the lives of our boys and their family. We met the boys on a Tuesday and Covid lockdown started on a Friday, so it has been a particularly unique last 15 months for us and the boys. But we’ve been able to see them grow both physically (literally inches) and emotionally and have done quite a bit of growing ourselves. We just finished the school year strong and are looking forward to a fun summer of adventures.

We need more foster parents like Henry and Sarah. Learn how you can become a foster parent by contacting Dudly Decoste: ddecoste@hhch.org

Adrienne SimeonMeet Henry & Sarah
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