Accolades
The Hands and Feet is deeply grateful and humbled to be recognized for our efforts in serving the most vulnerable populations in South Florida.
Outstanding Non-Profit Advocates for Children Award
2024 Palm Beach Outstanding Non-Profit Advocates for Children Award presented by Florida Children's First
Each year Florida’s Children First honors individuals and organizations that make a significant difference in the lives of children. This year FCF Statewide Board of Directors selected The Hands and Feet to receive the 2024 Outstanding Non-Profit Advocates for Children Award to recognize the organization’s extraordinary dedication to being an immediate resource for foster families, biological parents, relative caregivers, and aged-out foster youth, providing help and hope to those who need it the most.
Rising Star Award
Rising Star Award presented by Association TRENDS and CEO Update in Washington, D.C.
Ciarra Smith, Director of Operations and Finance, won the Rising Star Award, a nationally acclaimed award given at the Nonprofit Legal, Finance, and Grants Conference in Washington, D.C. Ciarra is among a handful of nonprofit finance directors who have been acknowledged for their accomplishment in this space.
Read more about this year's honorees here.
Florida's Heroes
The Hands and Feet founder Bailey Hughes (pictured left with husband Josh) was recognized as one of Florida's Heroes during the second annual ceremony, hosted by Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis.
Bailey was among 75 honorees chosen for dedicating themselves to helping others overcome adversity through nonprofit efforts, adoption and foster care, careers in education, and advocacy.
Sharon D’Eusanio Award
The Coalition for Independent Living Options (CILO) recently honored co-founders Bailey Hughes and Makayla Doolin with the Sharon D'Eusanio Award in recognition of their passion for helping those who have become a part of the Child Welfare System, and easing the burden of families who step up to care for vulnerable and hurting child survivors who have been impacted by trauma.
PBA Alumna of the Year
The Hands and Feet founder, Bailey Hughes, was selected as 2023 Alumna of the Year by Palm Beach Atlantic University. She was presented the award by University President, Dr. Debra Schwinn during the annual Homecoming & Family Weekend Chapel service. Bailey was given a platform to share about her experience as a student at PBA and how it impacted her later steps into the foster care system and creating The Hands and Feet.