Making A Difference in the Lives of Foster Children

Karen Coney Coplin

We are thrilled to feature Ann Hughes, CEO of Fostering Success, as our special guest columnist in this issue. Ann was recently recognized by the Governor and First Lady at the 2025 Florida Heroes Reception for her exceptional kindness, selflessness, and vision in positively impacting the lives of others. Read on about her leadership:

Foster children are among the most vulnerable members of the community. They have been removed from their homes due to abuse,neglect, addiction issues, or, in some cases, human trafficking. The trauma and instability they experience at a young age can present significant challenges as they navigate life.

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to highlight the more than 230 children in foster care in Collier County. While the circumstances that bring children into the system are often heartbreaking, this month also serves to celebrate their resilience and recognize the dedication of mentors, families, child welfare professionals, and community members who support them.

Fostering Success is committed to restoring a sense of normalcy to the lives of foster children. The organization provides vital support, ensuring each child has the resources needed to thrive.

With the right support, foster children can achieve incredible things. The community plays a crucial role in rallying behind them, their foster families, and the mentors who provide essential guidance.

For 26 years, Fostering Success has been a leading force in supporting foster children in Collier County. The organization’s mission is to meet the needs of these children, helping them reach their full potential. As a privately funded organization, it relies on community support to continue its work.

“We provide not only a beacon of hope for these children, but a pathway to success,” said Ann Hughes, CEO of Fostering Success.

The non-profit organization seeks to help the children by empowering them through education and enrichment. Theireducation programs include:

• Ready for Kindergarten connects the youngest foster children with quality early learning centers.
• Academic Mentoring is for children from kindergarten through high school. The Academic Mentor Program provides free tutoring.

The outcomes have been staggering. While the national high school graduation rate for foster children is only 50 percent, an impressive 100 percent of the high school seniors in their tutoring program graduated last year.

Scholarships are awarded annually to high school seniors, allowing them to attend college or technical school.

Thriving After Care supports young adults who are transitioning out of foster care with much needed life skills. The classes include cooking, financial literacy, resume building, job applications, housing assistance, and continued education.

Beyond academics, Fostering Success funds enrichment programs such as supplies and activities.

Basic Necessities deliver essentials such as diapers, cribs, beds, clothing, school supplies, and uniforms to foster families.

Heartstrings Arts & Music programs support music and dance lessons, band, art classes, theater, and other forms of creative arts through a variety of activities to ignite their creativity and bring joy into their lives.

Sports gives the children the opportunity to play on a team or individually, exercise, make new friends, and develop new skills. Foster children can engage in sports they have never been able to play such as soccer, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, football, volleyball, horseback riding and other fun activities.

As we get ready to enter the summer months Fostering Success continues to offer services.

Upcoming Initiatives

June – Summer Camps: Foster children can participate in action packed, eight-week summer camps where they explore individual skills, stay active, and make friends. Specialized camps offer experiences in STEAM robotics, tennis, water skiing, sailing, and more in a safe and supportive environment.

July – Back-to-School Drive: The annual Back-to-School Drive-Thru event ensures that foster children receive essential supplies, clothing, and resources to start the school year with confidence. Frequent school transitions can set foster children back academically, but by equipping them with the tools they need, the program helps bridge the educational gap and provide stability.

Continuing Support: Throughout the year, there are many ways to help foster children, whether by donating toys, school supplies, and gift cards, volunteering as a tutor, assisting at an event, or exploring foster parenting.

For more information, visit FosteringSuccess.net or call 239-262-1808.

Please contact Karen at NaplesKCC@gmail.com with suggestions for future article coverage, which is often centered on charitable organizations in Naples and the programs/services these groups offer.

Additionally, for more vignettes about life in Naples, give her a follow-on Instagram @Naplesbythenumbers