Honorees Announced For Flite Center’s Eighth Annual Heroes Luncheon

FLITE Center’s Heroes Luncheon is a tribute to the organization’s partners, funders, and frontline staff who support and dedicate their lives to impacting youth in South Florida’s Transitional Independent Living (TIL) System of Care.

“FLITE Center is, quite literally, the emergency room of the TIL System of Care. Last year, we provided employment and education, health and wellness and affordable and safe housing opportunities for 2,575 youth in South and Central Florida,” said Kristina DaSilva, CEO of FLITE Center. “Each year, the number of youth in need grows exponentially and we are grateful to our outspoken advocates, team members and partner agencies who elevate our mission and ensure that human trafficking survivors in Broward County, West Palm Beach and Central Florida reach their potential.”

This year’s honorees and their respective award categories are:

• Albert & Beatriz Miniaci Lifetime Hero Award - Cara Malave (posthumous)

• Cara Malave Legacy Award - Christine Frederick

• Gore Foundation YouMatter Award – Ladies Fish Off

• Memorial Healthcare System Collaborators of the Year - Broward Sheriff’s Office

• Children's Services Council TIL System of Care Hero Award - Mark & Tiffani Dhooge

• UKG Ultimate Acts of Kindness - Joel Smith

• Ripple Effect Award - Mavericks Host Committee: Dan & Susan Ahearn, Premier Aircraft, Stefanie Title, and Dr. Heidi Schaeffer

• 2026 TIL System of Care Unsung Heroes:

• Shayan Dunkley – Camelot Community Care

• Sarah Demetrius – Gulf Coast JFCS

• Asia McMillon – HANDY Inc.

• Rachel Vital – Henderson Behavioral Health

• Kayla Shoats – Memorial Healthcare Systems

• Jasmine Bethell – PACE Center for Girls

• LaQuasha Montgomery – Children's Harbor

• Christina St. Juste – 4Kids of South Florida

• Anthony Harris, Jr. - ChildNet

• Staci-Ann Lewin – SOS Children’s Village

• Chloe Campbell – South Florida Wellness Network

• David Alan Waldrep – FLITE Center

• Angel Torry – FLITE Center

FLITE Center is where all transitioning youth and young adults who have faced trauma come seeking ways to become successful adults within a safe, nurturing environment. FLITE Center is Broward County’s one stop resource center, reducing barriers by offering all supportive services within one location. FLITE Center offers comprehensive and seamless service delivery for youth and young adults ages 10 to 23 involved in the child welfare system, including youth with special and behavioral needs, youth from the LGBTQ community, survivors of human trafficking, youth from the Department of Juvenile Justice, youth who have no high school diploma, those who are unemployed, homeless, or facing any other unfortunate circumstance.

FLITE Center’s Heroes Luncheon is sponsored by The Vegso Family Foundation, Memorial Healthcare System, UKG, Jennifer Whittington, Lesser Landy Smith & Siegel PLLC.

Tickets are $150 per person ($100 for government agency employees) and are available for purchase online at: www.flitecenter.org/heroes-luncheon.

For more information or to secure a sponsorship, please contact Jenna Feliciano at: (954) 995-7021. Or: jenna@flitecenter.org. Or Maria Vo at: (954) 540 7825. Or: maria@flitecenter.org.

ABOUT FLITE Center

FLITE (Florida Independence, Training & Education) Center was created in 2009 through a partnership of the Community Foundation of Broward, the United Way of Broward and the Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale, with the intent of offering comprehensive access to services for youth aging out of foster care. A respected Not-For-Profit Organization, FLITE Center has become the hub of all support services for transitioning youth to become successful adults within a safe, nurturing environment that promotes personal growth while developing practical life skills. The mission has expanded to also be a lifeline for victims of human trafficking. Based on community needs, FLITE Center serves as a beacon of hope in Broward and Palm Beach counties plus Central Florida.

For more information on programs and services and how to get involved, visit: www.flitecenter.org.