Page 46 - May-June 2025 Life In Naples Magazing

Making A Difference

in the Lives of Foster Children

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
by Karen Coney Coplin such as supplies and activities.
Basic Necessities deliver essentials such as diapers, cribs, beds,
e are thrilled to feature Ann
clothing, school supplies, and uniforms to foster families.
Hughes, CEO of Fostering
Heartstrings Arts & Music programs supports music and dance
W Success, as our special guest
lessons, band, art classes, theater, and other forms of creative arts
columnist in this issue. Ann was recently
through a variety of activities to ignite their creativity and bring joy into
recognized by the Governor and First Lady
their lives.
at the 2025 Florida Heroes Reception for her
Sports gives the children the opportunity to play on a team or
exceptional kindness, selflessness, and vision
individually, exercise, make new friends, and develop new skills. Foster
in positively impacting the lives of others.
children can engage in sports they have never been able to play such as
Read on about her leadership:
soccer, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, football, volleyball, horseback
Foster children are among the most vulnerable members of the
riding and other fun activities.
community. They have been removed from their homes due to abuse,
As we get ready to enter the summer months Fostering Success
neglect, addiction issues, or, in some cases, human trafficking. The
continues to offer services.
trauma and instability they experience at a young age can present
Upcoming Initiatives
significant challenges as they navigate life.
June – Summer Camps: Foster children can participate in action-
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to
packed, eight-week summer camps where they explore individual skills,
highlight the more than 230 children in foster care in Collier
stay active, and make friends. Specialized camps offer experiences in
County. While the circumstances that bring children into the system
STEAM robotics, tennis, water skiing, sailing, and more in a safe and
are often heartbreaking, this month also serves to celebrate their
supportive environment.
resilience and recognize the dedication of mentors, families, child
July – Back-to-School Drive: The annual Back-to-School Drive-
welfare professionals, and community members who support them.
Thru event ensures that foster children receive essential supplies,
Fostering Success is committed to restoring a sense of normalcy
clothing, and resources to start the school year with confidence.
to the lives of foster children. The organization provides vital support,
Frequent school transitions can set foster children back academically, but
ensuring each child has the resources needed to thrive.
by equipping them with the tools they need, the program helps bridge
With the right support, foster children can achieve incredible
the educational gap and provide stability.
things. The community plays a crucial role in rallying behind them,
Continuing Support: Throughout the year, there are many ways to
their foster families, and the mentors who provide essential guidance.
help foster children, whether by donating toys, school supplies, and gift
For 26 years, Fostering Success has been a leading force in
cards, volunteering as a tutor, assisting at an event, or exploring foster
supporting foster children in Collier County. The organization’s
parenting.
mission is to meet the needs of these children, helping them reach
For more information, visit FosteringSuccess.net or
their full potential. As a privately funded organization, it relies on
call 239-262-1808.
community support to continue its work.
Please contact Karen at NaplesKCC@gmail.com with suggestions for
“We provide not only a beacon of hope for these children, but a
future article coverage, which is often centered on charitable organizations in
pathway to success,” said Ann Hughes, CEO of Fostering Success.
Naples and the programs/services these groups offer.
The non-profit organization seeks to help the children by
Additionally, for more vignettes about life in Naples, give her a follow on
empowering them through education and enrichment. Their
Instagram @Naplesbythenumbers
education programs include:
46 www.LifeInNaples.net