Friends of Children of Brevard County, Inc. (Friends) is a long standing 501 C3 that financially assists abused children in Brevard County who have been removed from their home due to unsafe conditions resulting from abuse, abandonment and/or neglect. Brevard County has approximately 1,000 of these vulnerable children.

Many of these children leave their home with very few personal possessions and are placed with a relative, family friend, or neighbor. These interim caregivers may not have the financial means to sufficiently provide for these children in a manner that provides normalcy. Those that are not placed with relatives or friends are placed in foster care or a group home where there is even less normalcy.

When these vulnerable and traumatized children have unmet needs Friends steps in, routinely disbursing funds for clothing, underwear, shoes, diapers, car seats, strollers, holiday gifts and even beds. Friends provides funds for the needs of children not provided by other agencies. Although a new bed unit isn’t something to get excited about when you are a 10-year-old, sleeping on a real bed rather than an air mattress is still important. Friends is also committed to providing children in the care and supervision of the court the same summer break activities provided by intact families. These vulnerable children deserve access to normal childhood activities, camps, swimming, sports and more.

Friends board members are volunteers, receiving no compensation. Additionally, more than half of the board members volunteer as Guardians ad Litem who are actively engaged in child advocacy. Friends prides itself on maintaining a low overhead. Funds received from this foundation will be used to provide personal items needed for vulnerable children such as clothing, shoes, school supplies, diapers, and more.