MESSAGE FROM CEO MATT MARKLEY
Imagine a child—small, scared and alone. Picture a young girl curled up in a corner clutching a worn-out teddy bear, her eyes filled with tears that tell a story of fear and abandonment. This is the harsh reality for many children in our community who have been abused, abandoned or neglected.

Every day, these children face unimaginable challenges. They may go to bed hungry without the warmth of a loving home or a caring adult. They endure the trauma of neglect and the pain of betrayal, left to navigate a world that has shown them nothing but cruelty.

But you have the power to change their story. Your support can help provide the safety, love and resources these vulnerable children desperately need.

At Hibiscus Children’s Center we are dedicated to transforming the lives of children.

With your generous donation, we can:

Provide Emergency Shelter: and safe refuge for children who have nowhere else to turn. The average length of stay at Hibiscus is six to nine months, some kids stay with us for years.

Offer Counseling and Support Services: many of these children carry deep emotional scars. Your gift will support master’s level therapists who can help them process their trauma and regain hope.

Provide Educational Support: kids often come to Hibiscus one or two grade levels below where they should be. Hibiscus staff serve as surrogate parents and work with teachers and administrators to catch kids up, attend parent/teacher conferences, ensure school attendance, homework help and tutoring. Many children have received their GED or high school diploma while in our care.

As the year closes, please consider making a generous donation by December 31. Hibiscus accepts gifts of cash, stock, Donor Advised Funds or through your IRA. If you have a required minimum distribution (RMD), a qualified charitable distribution may be an option.  You can donate below or call our Chief Development Officer, Michelle King, at (561) 452-5791 to make your gift.

Today, we ask you to stand with us. Your contribution, no matter the amount, will make a profound difference in the lives of children. Together, we can give them the love, support and opportunities they need to heal and thrive.

WAYS TO GIVE 
There are many options to support a child including:
♥  Monthly Donations · Your Donor Advised Fund · Gifts of Stocks or from your IRA · For Future Generations through a Legacy Gift
♥  Now is a great time to consider a gift through a Qualified Charitable Donation. As you know, if you must take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from a retirement account, you will need to draw down funds by December 31. By making a gift from this account directly to Hibiscus you save on the taxable income you would incur as well as offsetting other taxes.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF CHILDREN


Former Hibiscus Resident Shares How Hibiscus Changed His Life
Over 35 years ago, Dave Miller found refuge at Hibiscus Children’s Center. At just four years old, Dave and his two younger siblings were discovered abandoned at a motel in Okeechobee and brought to Hibiscus Shelter. Despite his young age, Dave vividly recalls his time there. “I have fond memories of Hibiscus. I remember feeling safe, having enough food, and being clean, things I had not experienced before. We arrived at the Shelter late at night hungry and the staff offered us as many donuts as we wanted. It was the first time I ever experienced having more than enough food. The staff were wonderful and provided comfort to me.

One of Dave’s most touching memories is when the Hibiscus staff celebrated his birthday. He felt valued and important, especially when he was allowed to choose pumpkin pie instead of cake, which he didn’t like. “I was always worried about being just a number, feeling like I didn’t matter to anyone. As a child, I didn’t realize that the kindness and love shown to me at Hibiscus were intentional. Now I understand that these acts were meant to make me and the other children feel cared for and significant.”

Today, Dave is an advocate for facilities like Hibiscus, grateful for the positive impact they had on him and his siblings. He has a family of his own and is a successful businessperson in Chicago. Dave has turned his early challenges into a solid foundation for life and is thankful that Hibiscus was there to support him when he needed it most.