Making the holidays special for kids at HomeSafe | Opinion

Take a moment to go back to Christmas morning as a child. The magic was palpable in the form of warm holiday traditions that have been embedded in our senses. The festive smells, timeless music and gatherings with loved ones, is what makes the holidays so special.

Now, imagine not being with your family or loved ones during this time. This is reality for the kids at HomeSafe. The holidays are a tough time for the kids in our care. They have been in the foster system for years, removed from their home due to abuse, neglect or abandonment.

Year round, our team operates four Specialized Therapeutic Group Care that provide 44 beds for children and adolescents (ages 7 to 17) suffering from moderate to severe emotional diagnoses due to trauma. We provide one-on-one clinical therapy to help in healing the hurt for these kids. Because the holidays can be emotional for them, we make sure to provide positive experiences that will provide good memories and make them feel a part of a family.

In early December, we kicked off a month of holiday festivities for the kids, starting with our friends from the Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller of Florida, and couldn’t be more grateful for an exceptional gathering where the kids danced, laughed and were awed by a magician. One Sunday, Santa also arrived by motorcycle for a fun barbecue with members of a motorcycle club. Additionally, a board member and his wife hosted a fabulous gingerbread house-decorating party for the girls at our Sylvester Family Foundation West campus in West Palm Beach.

While group activities definitely provide positive holiday experiences, our therapists and administrators also understand there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to the kids. During this time of year, it is our goal to reinforce their self-esteem, sense of well-being and feeling loved. We do this by having them share the holiday traditions they remember, and if
possible, making them happen. It might be watching a particular movie or show, baking a favorite cookie, or driving around to see the lights and decorations. On Christmas morning, every child opens a huge bag of gifts, purchased specifically from their wish list, thanks to the generosity of donors.

Making the holidays special for the kids takes a village. HomeSafe extends our utmost gratitude to many individuals, companies and community partners who make this happen. Because of you, our kids will be able to fondly look back on good holiday memories created at HomeSafe.

With the community’s continued support, we have all the confidence that 2024 will be another year of hope and healing for these children who need it the most.

We thank you and wish you a joyous holiday season!

For more information about HomeSafe and our residential group care program, visit helphomesafe.org.

Matthew Ladika is CEO of HomeSafe.