Established in 1902, Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) is one of Florida's oldest private nonprofit organizations providing services to children and families.
CHS delivers a unique spectrum of social services designed to protect children at risk of abuse, neglect or abandonment; to strengthen and stabilize families; to help young people break the cycle of abuse and neglect; and to find safe, loving homes for children. United Way of Tampa Bay supports the Joshua House, a group home in Tampa. The Joshua House is an 11-acre campus of several ranch-style homes that includes a large play area, basketball courts, jungle gyms and a tree house. For the children living at Joshua House, some have lost their parents. Some have been abandoned. Some are homeless due to abuse, neglect, or because they struggle with emotional or behavioral problems. Providing much more than shelter and food, CHS staff nurture and counsel the children in their care. CHS homes are usually filled with laughter, music and play, but sometimes give way to tears and anger as the children learn to cope with their situations and begin to heal.