Messages from the CEO

OP ED By Linda Goldfield, CEO of Youth Haven

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to recognize the more than 365,000 children across the United States who are in foster care and to honor the caregivers, child welfare professionals and community partners who support them every day.

Behind each number is a child who has experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment; young people navigating uncertainty at a time when they need stability most. Here in Florida, which ranks third in the nation for foster care placements, the need for safe homes and comprehensive support continues to grow.

Approximately 18,500 youth age out of the foster care system each year without a permanent family. Without the stability and guidance that many of us take for granted, these young adults face significantly higher risks of homelessness, unemployment and poor health outcomes. That reality underscores the urgency of expanding support systems, including homeless teen transitional living programs like Youth Haven’s Rob’s Cottage, where older teens gain the skills and confidence needed to move toward independence.

Foster Care Awareness Month is not only about recognizing the system; it’s about strengthening it. And that requires community action.

There are many ways to make a difference. Becoming a foster parent provides a child with a safe and nurturing home during a critical time. Mentoring offers guidance and connection that can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Volunteering and supporting local organizations help ensure that essential services remain available to those who need them most.

Not everyone can foster, but everyone can play a role.

At Youth Haven, we see both the challenges and the possibilities. Many of the children and teens who come into our care arrive carrying the weight of trauma. In fact, research shows that approximately 90% of youth in foster care have been exposed to traumatic experiences. These experiences shape how they see the world, build relationships and respond to everyday situations. That’s why trauma-informed care is essential.

On our therapeutic campus in Collier County, children ages 6 to 21 find more than just a place to stay. They find safety, structure and the opportunity to begin healing. Across our five cottages, youth receive 24/7 care in a home-like environment, along with nutritious meals, educational support, medical and mental health services, and enrichment activities designed to restore a sense of normalcy and childhood.

Through evidence-based, trauma-informed care, we provide individualized therapy, life-skills education and creative outlets like art, recreation and outdoor exploration. Whether it’s a child discovering confidence through an art project, learning teamwork on the playing field or simply feeling safe enough to laugh and play, these moments are the building blocks of resilience.

Our goal is always permanency. Children in our care are working toward reunification with family, placement with relatives, foster homes or adoption. Kinship care, when relatives step in to care for children, plays a vital role in maintaining family connections and cultural identity. Strong partnerships with organizations like the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida help ensure that children and families receive the coordinated support they need throughout this journey.

At Youth Haven, we believe every child deserves a childhood and a future filled with possibility. This May, I encourage our community to stand with foster youth, support the families who care for them and take action in whatever way you can. When the community comes together, we don’t just support children in foster care, but we help them heal, grow and thrive. At its core, foster care is about providing stability in moments of crisis and hope in moments of uncertainty. It is about reminding every child that they are not alone and that their future can be brighter than their past.

Learn more about Youth Haven and how you can support foster youth in our community at youthhavenswfl.org.

Linda Goldfield is the CEO of Youth Haven, where she leads Collier County’s only emergency and residential shelter for children and teens ages 6 to 21 who have experienced abuse, neglect or homelessness. For more than five decades, Youth Haven has provided home, hope and healing in a safe, stable and nurturing environment where young people can realize their potential and build brighter futures. Through comprehensive, trauma-informed care, the organization delivers therapeutic services, academic support, life-skills training, foster care and transitional living programs tailored to each child’s needs. As a nonprofit, Youth Haven relies on community support to sustain these critical services. Learn more or make a donation at youthhavenswfl.org.