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Fighting for children's rights
Every child deserves to be heard, the tools to choose their own path, and the opportunity to thrive.
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Youth-led advocacy
Discover Florida Youth SHINE- the Youth-led Advocacy Organization Amplifying the Voices of Thousands of Children in Care.
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You can make real change for youth in care
We make a lasting impact! Since 2002, our mission has been to champion children's rights through advocacy, education, and policy reform. Be a part of the change.
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Florida Youth SHINE Chapter Members

About Us

Our Mission: Florida’s Children First is a non-profit, nonpartisan, independent advocacy organization committed to protecting and advancing the rights of children and youth impacted by the child welfare, juvenile justice, and disability systems through systemic reform, education, youth voice, and promoting high-quality legal representation.

Our Vision: Florida’s laws, policies, and practices respect, prioritize, and protect children and youth impacted by the child welfare, juvenile justice, and disability systems.

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Florida Youth SHINE

We believe the children in Florida’s systems of care are powerful change agents and advocates for their own future. Florida Youth SHINE is a dynamic affinity group supported by Florida’s Children First, where youth lead with lived experience to shape a brighter future for themselves and future generations if given the right tools.
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Our Approach

We believe in transformative change. Through relentless advocacy, enlightening education, amplifying youth voices, and unwavering legal advocacy, we are shaping a brighter future for our children. Dive into our dedicated programs and discover how we’re pioneering systemic reform.

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Help Us Improve the Lives of Children: Utilize Our Resources for Children's Rights.

At Florida’s Children First, we stand as fierce advocates for children’s rights, working tirelessly to amplify their voices, prioritize their needs, and implement necessary changes, advancing laws, practices, and policies to create a society where every child feels safe and loved, and thrives!

To further this mission, we’ve created a collection of resources, ranging from advocacy tools and educational materials to legal support and expert guidance. Together, we pave the way for a brighter, more nurturing world for our children.

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Upcoming Events

Check back to get details on all our upcoming events and save the date and join a dynamic community of like-minded individuals who believe in the power of children. We can’t wait to see you there!
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Learn More About Our Work

Curious about how our work helps children? Watch our video below.

Learn More About Our Work

Curious about how our work helps children? Watch our video below.

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Alexia Nechayev

FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach)

Hello, My name is Alexia Nechayev. I am 25 years old and I am an alumna of Florida International University where I received my B.A. in Psychology. My future career goal is to be a Lawyer. I was in care for about one year from age 17 to 18. Prior to entering care, I only knew about the negative stigma regarding foster care and while in care that narrative was unfortunately my experience.

In school I felt like I was on display because my status in care was broadcast to other students and in my placement behavior was leveraged for “privileges” that should be a natural right of all children. Because I did not know my rights I did not know that what I was experiencing was wrong. Today this is exactly why I advocate, because I don’t want this to be the same for other youth who are experiencing foster care.

This is my second year on the FYS Statewide Board and I’m happy to be the Events and Meetings Chair this year because my main goal through advocacy is to reach as many people as possible. My favorite thing as a board member is to see how comfortable members become while working together. The community needs to know that youth in foster care are real people, going through some of the hardest moments of their life and youth need to know that their voice is powerful. I believe that we have to speak up and bring these issues to people’s attention so that they do not forget us. Advocacy, education and consistency is the only way.

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