Q: What do you see as the primary goal of SOS Connect?

MG. The primary goal of SOS Connect is to bring together passionate young professionals who want to make a meaningful impact in the lives in foster at the Village, and the alumni who are part of the Next Steps program. We plan to provide support, guidance, and resources that help the children feel empowered and loved while building a strong community of future leaders who care deeply about giving back.

Q. How did you become involved with SOS?

AP. I became involved with SOS when I met my husband. Zack and his family have been involved with SOS since he was in elementary school, and the moment they introduced me to the Village, I immediately felt I needed to carry the torch.

MGI first learned about SOS Children’s Villages Florida through a friend who was involved with the organization. When I visited the campus and saw firsthand the incredible work they do to provide a stable and nurturing environment for children in foster care, I knew I wanted to be part of it. I joined the board pretty quickly after that first tour and have been involved in one way or another ever since.

Q. Share your thoughts on emerging philanthropists and why this is important to the sustainability of non-profits.

AP. As young adults like myself are establishing ourselves in our communities, we are easily absorbed into social causes behind our screens: social media posts, online donation organizing, and following celebrity philanthropy events. While these are a valuable start to learning about non-profits, I believe there is nothing like getting face-to-face with philanthropy, doing service for our own communities. Our isolated impact online can go far, but it can go so much further when we do it together in person. Getting involved in programs like SOS Connect are important to the sustainability of non-profits, as it gets future philanthropists’ firsthand exposure to an important cause and shows us we have a place in philanthropy today.

MG. Emerging philanthropists are incredibly important to the sustainability and future of non-profits like SOS. We bring fresh energy, innovative ideas, and a willingness to engage our networks in meaningful ways. By involving young professionals early in their careers, we’re cultivating a new generation of leaders who understand the importance of giving back and are committed to supporting causes they care about. This ensures that organizations like SOS can continue their mission for years to come.

Q. What impresses you most about SOS?

AP. There is so much that impresses me about SOS. The residential community and the programs it provides to make kids feel at home and supported was the first element that made me aware of how special SOS is. Keeping siblings together and making every effort to limit disruption in the childrens’ lives to every extent possible. This includes staying in their school and continuing their extra curriculars. This shows me that SOS isn’t just thinking about the children in their moment of need, but also of the children’s future. Everyone I know who visits SOS shares a very similar sentiment: “Once I saw for myself what SOS is doing, I knew I had to be involved.”

MG. What impresses me most about SOS is the approach the organization takes to foster care. It’s not just about providing shelter-it’s about creating a true sense of family and belonging for these children. SOS goes above and beyond to ensure every child has the tools they need to succeed. The dedication of the staff and volunteers is truly inspiring.

Q. Was there an impactful moment where you saw the need to help make a difference?

AP. The first time I had a tour visiting one of the homes, meeting the foster parent and the children, I became emotional as I was struck by how “real” this was. It’s easy to compartmentalize from a distance, but to be there is to feel SOS’s mission deeply and directly. I had a hard time walking away from that house after the tour, but I knew I would be back.

MG. Yes, I remember meeting a 4-year-old girl who had just moved into the Village during one of my first tours. I was able to spend some time with her and was blown away by how innocent and well behaved she was despite the incredibly traumatic events she recently experienced. Getting to know her and watching her interact with her foster parent, the staff, and the other children at the Village, showed how truly special SOS is.

Q. What would you like to see as the future of SOS Connect?

AP. I’d love the future of SOS Connect to include young people from various vocations, backgrounds, and interests: SOS alumni, recent graduates, business professionals, skilled tradespeople, and beyond. Our goal is to bring the strength of a diverse young professional network to pour our experiences, lessons learned, and passions back into the SOS community. We want to make an impact on SOS at all ages — supporting kids, encouraging teens, and mentoring adults. Through our work as a team, those involved in SOS Connect will also gain valuable relationships with one another and expand their own professional networks.

MG. I envision more mentorship programs, increased fundraising efforts, and expanded outreach that allows us to support even more kids at SOS and young adults in the Next Steps program. My hope is that we can inspire others in our community to join us in this mission and create lasting change together.

Q. How people can help and final thoughts.

AP. People can help by getting involved in SOS Connect and spreading the word to those who may be interested. If there are life skills, coaching, and other “Growing up 101” ideas that you are passionate about, we’d love to hear from you. We will be at the upcoming Steps for SOS 5K event, so we hope to meet more people there as well!

MG. There are so many ways people can help.You can join SOS Connect if you’re a young professional looking for a way to give back, volunteer your time at events or on campus, and/or make a donation. Every little bit helps-whether it’s mentoring a child, contributing financially, or simply spreading awareness about the incredible work SOS does.