Place of Hope CEO Highlights our December Lunch


Befitting the time of year when people think about those less fortunate, our December guest represented the needs of those children in the foster care system in Palm Beach County, and an example of meeting a need that government has not managed well.

Place of Hope CEO Charles Bender talked about breaking the cycle of dependency among neglected or abused children by providing a nurturing, family-based environment. While the government has the overall responsibility for those that find themselves in the foster-care system, it is non-governmnental organizations like Place of Hope that provide the personal touch that can make a difference in a child’s life.

It was Jeb Bush as Governor who advanced the concept of “commuity based care” and groups like Place of Hope move the ball by providing alternatives to the “family first” policies of DCF. “Family first”, which gives priority to keeping family units together can cause problems for the children when the family unit is dysfunctional in some way. Moving foster kids into family structured group or individual homes where positive values can be taught is a viable alternative that Place of Hope provides.

For more information about Place of Hope, please visit their website.

In other business, we heard from candidates Beverly Hires (CD18), Henry Colon (CD21), and Pat Rooney (FH85).

Some pictures from the event:


  • Representative Pat Rooney Representative Pat Rooney FH85
  • Bev Hires Bev Hires Candidate for CD18
  • Rick Kozell Rick Kozell RCPB President
  • Rick Kozell, Henry Colon (CD21 candidate) and speaker Charles Bender Rick Kozell, Henry Colon (CD21 candidate) and speaker Charles Bender
  • Virginia and John Brooks Virginia and John Brooks
  • Adele Kirkpatrick and Georgina More Adele Kirkpatrick and Georgina More
  • Jim Hunter, Meg and Rob Shannon, Dean Marlin Jim Hunter, Meg and Rob Shannon, Dean Marlin
  • Bette Anne Starkey, Delia Garcia Menocal, Iris Scheibl Bette Anne Starkey, Delia Garcia Menocal, Iris Scheibl
  • Iris and Fred Scheibl Iris and Fred Scheibl
  • Fran Hancock and Sally Schmiedl Fran Hancock and Sally Schmiedl