In 2008, the Foundation for Foster Children was formed to address the alarming statistics surrounding foster children in Central Florida. One of the Foundation’s founding members, who played a key role in shaping the organization, is Michelle Chira.
Michelle’s passion for helping children in foster care began when she observed the foster children her mother worked with at Devereux Florida. While waiting for their family visitations, Michelle noticed the chaos in the lobby, where one little boy sat alone, sad because his mother hadn’t shown up. In that moment, she thought, “Now I know what I should be doing.”
Michelle, along with three other Central Florida women—Catherine Kirkpatrick, Lara Lee, and Laura Eidson-Cosgrove—founded the Foundation for Foster Children. Since then, their mission has been to ensure that children in foster care can participate in typical childhood activities, like soccer, dance, or summer camp. The Foundation’s goal is to enhance the lives of foster children through support and advocacy, creating opportunities for a brighter future.