TAMPA (Bloom) – Why is community involvement so critical in child welfare work? Amber Freeman, host of Bloom, sat down with Christina Needham, Community Engagement Specialist to discuss raising awareness for the needs of children in care.

Christina shares a pivotal moment that led her into helping kids in our community. A child was feeling very self conscience about the burns on his arms. “I was able to secure some long sleeved shirts in the middle of Florida summer for a child who had been badly burned. And he was so excited, and he said, I get to be a real kid. I get to be a normal kid. And it took everything, not to burst into tears, and it was in that moment that I realized, you know, what seems like a small gesture, can have a huge impact”.

Watch the full interview here.

It takes a village. Everyone has something to offer.

For more information and to learn how you can help, contact CommunityEngagementc6@FSSSuncoast.org or call 727-456-0600.