Charles Bender, Monique McCall on December 14

Charles Bender
CEO, Place of Hope

We will also have a little HOLIDAY MUSIC with vocalist Monique McCall.

Charles Bender is the Founding CEO of Place of Hope, a faith-based and state-licensed family-style residential child-caring agency for abused and neglected children, located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He earned his B.A. degree in Sociology from Florida Atlantic University and also studied at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.

Charles came to Place of Hope in 1999 following many years of work with various housing, social, and human services organizations throughout Palm Beach County. He has participated in numerous community committees, task forces, special initiatives, and boards. He has been a team member of several other local leading organizations including: Palm Beach County Housing and Community Development, Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc., the City of Delray Beach Community Development Division. The majority of Charles’ work has involved low-income individuals and families, homeless and substance abusing populations, and at-risk/dependent children and youth. Prior to spearheading implementation of Place of Hope, Charles was a primary volunteer in the multi-year visioning and development processes while still a “vision” of Christ Fellowship (founding church).

Charles has significant experience developing and administering social programs and low-income housing initiatives, executing growth plans, implementing federal, state, and local funding programs, building organizational capacity and community coalitions, enhancing service delivery systems, raising capital and annual operating funds, and managing overall non-profit operations.

Monique McCall’s unique appeal comes from her ability to forge new paths in her life, and take charge when the road gets rocky. She has earned her way into our hearts with several collaborations with Grammy Award winning Producers who just knew she had the right stuff. From early recordings with Rudy Perez and Joel Numa, to Bryan Todd, to Skidd Mills, Monique has only worked with the best. Continuing in the tradition of excellence, in 2020 Monique further upped the ante by adding the legendary “Hit Man” arranger Charles Calello to her team, bringing sophistication, undeniable hit pedigree, and elegance back to country.

In 2018 her single “Feel like Florida” got airplay on 42 stations worldwide. Further increasing appeal to international dancefloors, she teamed up with Number 1 Billboard Remixer/ Producers Mr. Mig, Mike Cruz and Austin Leeds who between them have over 50+ Number 1 Club Play Chart toppers. The song also is the official theme song of the radio show, “Stirrin it Up with Anita”, featured weekly on 95.9/106.9 FM’s West Palm/ Treasure Coast.