A Year of Impact. A Future of Opportunity
WHAT IS SPEAK UP FOR KIDS?
Supporting the Full Potential of Every Child in Foster Care
Speak Up for Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in Palm Beach County’s foster care system. Today, more than 1,400 children navigate the complexities of foster care locally, over half of whom are under the age of five. The needs are growing, and so are the layers of trauma and challenges these children face.
Through a range of impactful programs, we provide stability, encouragement, and critical resources that help children build confidence, resilience, and a sense of worth. Our work is rooted in advocacy, but it extends far beyond, addressing needs that every child deserves to have met.
We are steadfast in our vision: a thriving community where 100% of children in foster care receive the support and advocacy they need to not just survive, but to flourish. Together, we are shaping a future that prioritizes healing, growth, and the full potential of every child.
Our Digital & Community Reach
Why Speak Up for Kids?
As a vehicle for change since 2008, Speak Up for Kids connects Palm Beach County generosity with local children who desire and deserve to have a ‘normal’ childhood while waiting to go home. Speak Up For Kids mobilizes community resources, partnerships, advocacy, and support to help meet the unmet needs of children and families impacted by foster care.
We create engagement pathways for our community to promote positive youth development in Palm Beach County. Through key partnerships, we design intentional opportunities to serve and support the children and caregivers involved in the foster care system.
An impressive $.93 of every dollar
goes to supporting children
1.53 MILLION
INVESTED IN CHILDREN & PROGRAMS
Trusted Stewardship, Recognized Impact
With award-winning transparency and dedication, your support fuels programs that truly transform the lives of children in Palm Beach County.
Through strong governance,
compassionate leadership, and
community partnership, Speak
Up For Kids remains committed
to mitigating the trauma and
cultivating the self-worth of
children living in foster care.
Concetta Theros
BOARD PRESIDENT
Scott Penney
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
EXECUTIVE BOARD
CONCETTA THEROS – President
FRANK CUPIDO – Vice President
REBECCA WEISS – Treasurer
DAVE ELDER – Secretary
MEMBERS AT LARGE
ANDRIENE GORDON
SAMMIE BROWN
PAUL MCBRIDE
IMANI WILLIAMS
MEGAN WISTON
HENRY SMITH
ANITA PATEL
JESSICA CECERE
JODIE ARNOLD
SCOTT PENNEY – President Emeritus
ADVISORS
DOROTHY BRADSHAW
MARIA BATISTA
ANDRIENE GORDON
CHILD WELFARE LIAISON
PAM BROOKS - Child Advocate
Manager
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
COLEEN LACOSTA
MISSION
We mitigate the trauma and CULTIVATE THE SELF-WORTH of kids living in foster care.
VISION
A nation where EVERY CHILD in foster care experiences an abundance of self-worth and stability.
OUR PROGRAMS
-
Students Speak Up for Kids
Student-led advocacy and peer support initiatives.
-
Milestones & Essentials
Providing what every child needs—dignity, comfort, and celebration.
-
Life Skills
Equipping foster youth with tools for adulthood and independence.
-
Homes of Hope
Supporting and celebrating caregivers to stabilize placements and strengthen families.
-
Advocacy
Strengthening child welfare systems through support, education and engagement.
Speak Up For Kids ensures foster children know they matter through connection, celebration, advocacy, and support. Foster youth need more than food and shelter, they need people who believe in them, celebrate their milestones, and help them thrive. Speak Up For Kids fills that essential role in our community.
“
Kathy Leone
2025/ 2026 IMPACT
FROM BIRTHDAYS AND ESSENTIAL NEEDS TO ADVOCACY, CAREGIVER SUPPORT, AND LIFE SKILLS, SPEAK UP FOR KIDS HELPS FOSTER CHILDREN EXPERIENCE STABILITY, CONNECTION, AND HOPE. THROUGH COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PROGRAMS AND VOLUNTEERS, WE HELP ENSURE NO CHILD FEELS FORGOTTEN.
IN DIRECT SUPPORT FOR CHILD NEEDS
200+
YOUTH-CENTERED GUIDES
EMPOWERING TEENS TO TRANSITION WITH CONFIDENCE AND PURPOSE.
73 YOUTH
BUILDING PATHWAYS TO INDEPENDENCE
147
PROJECTS COMPLETED - ACTIVELY DRIVING CHANGE
16,140+
VOLUNTEER HOURS
$561,786.48
IN SERVICE VALUE
1,800 FAMILIES
SUPPORTED THROUGH PODCAST RESOURCES
24 CHILDREN
ACROSS 19 FAMILIES - SERVED BY ECC
13 CHILDREN
REUNIFIED!!!
PERMANENCY REACHED FOR
11 CHILDREN
(GUARDIANSHIP, ADOPTION & REUNIFICATION)
EARLY CHILDHOOD COURT
LEADS OF FUTURE FOSTER PARENTS
1,994 FOSTER YOUTH
SUPPORTED THROUGH SPEAK UP FOR KIDS INITIATIVES
543 BIRTHDAYS CELEBRATED
FULFILLING 100% OF REQUESTS ENSURING NO CHILD’S SPECIAL DAY WAS OVERLOOKED.
54 STUDENTS
PEER MENTORING FOSTER YOUTH THROUGH MUSIC
COMMUNITY IMPACT
& ENGAGEMENT
16,140+ HOURS
VOLUNTEERED THIS YEAR ALONE
At Speak Up for Kids, our VOLUNTEERS are the heartbeat of our mission. Your time, energy, and passion can make a profound difference in the lives of abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Palm Beach County. By joining our dedicated team, you’ll help create a thriving community where every child is nurtured, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
I think it is important for others to support foster youth because so many of them are less fortunate than us and deserve to be supported. The most meaningful part of this project for me was seeing how many people were willing to donate and help with my drive.
“
PARK VISTA HS STUDENT, PATRICK CHRISTIANO
EVENTS OF ADVOCACY
Join us throughout the year for heartwarming events that bring foster children, supporters, and the entire community together. From lively gatherings in neighborhoods across Palm Beach County to hands-on activities that fill urgent needs, our annual events create smiles, hope, and meaningful impact wherever they go. Every location, every moment, is a chance to lift up our kids, thanks to you!
WINTERFEST
A day of arts and crafts, dancing, face painting and more for foster kids.
DECEMBER Annually
Central County
The event is free for "our kids" (dependency - relative, foster, non-relative, group homes etc). Registration is for children living/residing in your home + caregiver(s).
Sponsorships help provide memorable experiences, gifts, activities and moments of belonging for children and caregivers navigating foster care during the holiday season.
| LEVEL | COST |
|---|---|
| Winter Wonderland Sponsor | $5,000 |
| Frosty Sponsor | $2,500 |
| Rudolph Sponsor | $1,500 |
| Jingle Bells | $1,000 |
BECOME A SPONSOR
Thanks to your heartfelt generosity, Leah’s holidays sparkled with hope and joy as she experienced play therapy, gymnastics, and treasured gifts that lit up her world. With the warm embrace of our community, her journey through foster care turned into a festive story of resilience, courage, and belonging. Your support helped us deliver the greatest gift of all, a loving forever family.
| LEVEL | COST |
|---|---|
| Hero Sponsor | $5,000 |
| Epic Adventure | $2,500 |
| Reading Sponsor | $1,500 |
| Escape Sponsor | $1,000 |
ANNUAL STORYBOOK VILLAGE | ELLEN KRANZLER LEGACY
STORYBOOK VILLAGE
The Magic of Possibility
Stories that Shape Tomorrow
Sunday - March 7, 2027 (Subject To Change)
MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDENS | 531 N MILITARY TRL, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33415
BECOME A SPONSOR IN 2027
“Donating items with sentimental value, like your past favorite books, helps you realize how lucky you are to have experienced all the joys of this world. This realization is a great motivator to share those joys with others.”
- STUDENTS SPEAK UP FOR KIDS VOLUNTEER, REESE W
| LEVEL | COST |
|---|---|
| Presenting Sponsor* | $20,000 |
| Advocate Sponsor* | $15,000 |
| Partner Sponsor | $10,000 |
| Champion Sponsor | $5,000 |
| Supporter Sponsor | $2,500 |
| Specialty Sponsor (Varied) | $1,500 |
*Pay Via Check or Wire
FEATURE GALA
NIGHT AT THE OSCARS - Speak Up for Kids 2027 Gala
Saturday - April 17, 2027
HONORARY CHAIR: Gale Brophy
BENVENUTO | 1730 N Federal Hwy, Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Paparazzi & Red Carpet, Cocktail Reception, Dinner, Oscar Themed Program, Music, Dancing
BECOME A SPONSOR IN 2027
Gala sponsorships directly support programs that provide advocacy, enrichment, life skills, caregiver support, birthdays, and critical needs assistance for children in foster care throughout Palm Beach County.
“I thought it was just going to be another person coming into my life… telling me what to do and then leaving. But SPEAK UP FOR KIDS KEPT SHOWING UP… they helped me get a job… and when my transmission broke, they went out of their way for me. It feels like someone will catch you if you fall… and with FYRC, they don’t leave when you turn eighteen.”
– ASHLYN
SUPPORTERS
Only through our stakeholders, individual donors, corporate partners, legacy donors, across Palm Beach County are we able to fully engage, support, and strive towards 100% ADVOCACY for child victims. BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU, 1400+ CHILDREN RECEIVED REPRESENTATION LEADING TO SECURITY, NORMALCY, AND PERMANENCY!
THANK YOU to all of our anonymous donors for your support. We SEE you.
