Champions for Children Keith Monda, Veronica Brady, Teri Hansen, and Jody Jester with the Safe Children Coalition’s Brena Slater and Jacqueline House.
As published in the Herald-Tribune 5/28/25:
The Safe Children Coalition recently presented its third annual Giving Breakfast and honored its 2025 Champions for Children – philanthropists Keith Monda and Veronica Brady, Barancik Foundation CEO Teri Hansen, and non- profit partner Bridge A Life executive director Jody Jester.
The event raised over $260,000 to support SCC’s work protecting children and strengthening families in Florida’s Circuit 12 (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties). Highlights included videos paying tribute to the honorees. Emcee for the event was Joe Girvan.
“We’ve tripled in size since our first Giving Breakfast three years ago,” SCC CEO Brena Slater said. “It has been my honor and pleasure to work with a compassionate and dedicated team to bring together resources to prevent child abuse and keep kids safe.”
SCC vice president Jacqueline House also provided an update on the progress of the Youth Shelter Campaign, which has reached 85% of its Phase I goal of $9 million. The new Youth Shelter will enable SCC to expand its ability to protect and provide crucial services for youths and teens who are homeless.
Slater said SCC served more than 9,300 children across all of its programs in the previous fiscal year. Of those children, 80% were served in prevention and diversion programs, keeping them out of the child welfare system and safe at home with their families.
“We are incredibly grateful to our community – and especially to our 2025 Champions for Children – for their dedication to the children and families of our community. Change does, indeed, happen every day at Safe Children Coalition.”
SOURCE: Child welfare advocates honored
