Heartland for Children, Inc.![]() Improving safety, permanency, and well being for all children in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties.
Heartland for Children is the local not-for-profit agency responsible for redesigning the foster care system in Polk, Hardee and Highlands Counties. Heartland for Children promotes the prevention of child abuse and oversees the provision of services for children who have been abused and/or neglected. These services include in-home family strengthening, adoption, case management, foster care and independent living. As the local Child Welfare Lead Agency, Heartland for Children is concerned with the safety and well being of all children in our community. Yellow Dress Play![]() We are sponsoring the presentation of “The Yellow Dress” play in local high schools.
The Yellow Dress is a dramatic one-woman play based on the stories of young women who were victims of dating violence. Audiences are clearly moved by the story of a young woman who warmly tells us of her relationship that begins as young love, full of passion and promise – and ends in tragedy. Audience participants will gain an understanding about how gradual changes in behavior in a relationship can impact lives forever. We have presented this play in many of our local high schools and have now made in-roads into Hillsborough County. ABC Action News has joined us and Heartland for Florida to present this play in Tampa and they are including it in their ABC Prime Time Special in October (which is National Domestic Violence Month). We are excited about the play and the results it has brought to our teens. We feel the production and presentation of the play has made a critical difference in our teen-age community. Clothesline Project![]() We display T-shirts at our Purple Ribbon Run which have been painted and designed by victims of domestic violence.
These shirts are given to the women at the local women’s shelter as part of their therapy and they are asked to design them in a way that reveals their feelings about their abuse. The shirts are eye-opening and impactful and bring awareness of their profound feelings. Peace River Women's Shelter![]() We assist the Peace River local Women’s Center by purchasing needed items for their center such as: TVs, washing machines, toys and furniture. We also collect needed items for them at our Candlelight Vigil. Peace River Center also provides free and confidential assessment, shelter and related services to domestic violence survivors and their dependents including crisis intervention, problem solving skills, self-help groups, safety planning, information and referrals, supportive counseling, court accompaniment for domestic violence survivorsand outreach services including external support group.
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Quick Links
CADV: NATIONAL
CADV: FLORIDA LOVE IS RESPECT PEACE RIVER CENTER SAVIN ONLINE ACTIVE.com LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES Hotlines
Polk County
Domestic Abuse Hotline (863) 413-2700 Hillsborough County Domestic Abuse Hotline (813) 247-7233 Teen Dating Abuse Hotline (866) 331-9474 Local Domestic Abuse Hotline (863) 413-2700 |