Through an ambitious HOSA project, Coral Glades students raise awareness of foster care

Coral Springs, Florida – A group of Coral Glades High School students is causing a stir in the neighborhood with their sincere effort to increase public awareness of the foster care system.
Through their participation with HOSA – Future Health Professionals, members Kelsie Reid, Isabella Mogollon, Patrick Chen, Gabriela Valdes, and Alyssa Harris started the initiative, transforming their enthusiasm into worthwhile action.
The group started off by selling foster care awareness pins as a little gesture. In addition to raising money, this initiative inspired thought-provoking discussions among their peers, bringing attention to the difficulties encountered by foster children.
Their dedication swiftly expanded, resulting in a collaboration with SOS Children’s Village, where they coordinated volunteer activities. During their trips, they organized an ornament-making event for foster children and sorted clothing at Luke’s Closet to promote holiday cheer.
Reid claims that the group held a birthday card-making session in recognition of the emotional challenges foster children frequently encounter. The team’s gesture made those who frequently feel ignored happy because they knew that many foster children go unnoticed on their special day.
The students started a podcast called Fostering Change with the goal of educating the public about the difficulties and intricacies of the foster care system in order to broaden their influence beyond practical exercises. The podcast provides a forum for raising awareness and igniting thought-provoking conversations about potential solutions.
The team also organized a hygiene campaign, gathering more than $200 worth of items for Kids in Distress, a program that helps kids in need. More than 200 students attended a “Know Your Rights” panel organized by the Student Law Association, which included knowledgeable speakers like an adoption attorney and the Supervisor for Foster Care Services of Broward County. For those navigating the foster care system, this panel provided insightful information and priceless resources.
Along with these initiatives, the students held a toy drive and performed community awareness surveys, raising almost $700 in gifts to help foster children have a happier holiday season.
In order to advance its goals and involve the larger community, the organization is organizing a Foster Care Awareness Week. Their ultimate objective, Reid says, is to become a charity by the end of the year.