Letters

Proceeds from the evening will support teens in foster care

Pembroke Pines, Florida –  Children's Harbor invites the community to gather as Ohana–because family is defined by those who show up when it matters most–for an unforgettable evening of generosity and connection at the 13th Annual Harbor Lights Gala, taking place on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m, at the stunning Bergeron Green Glades Ranch, 21111 SW 16th Street in Weston, Florida.

Presented by Vertical Bridge, this year’s gala celebrates the power of family, unity, and the community that shows up during the moments that shape a child’s future. Proceeds from the evening will directly support teens in foster care and young adults aging out of the system through Children’s Harbor’s nationally accredited programs.

Hosted by Children’s Harbor, this Polynesian Luau will feature island-inspired decor, live music, hula dancers, fire dancers, a haka performance, curated culinary experiences including pig roasts, a silent auction, a raffle, and more. Community leaders, advocates, and supporters who are committed to ensuring that no young person faces life alone will also come together in support of Children’s Harbor’s mission to keep families together by providing a supportive environment for the teens and young adults it serves. 

The evening will be emceed by Julie Guy, a beloved South Florida radio personality with over three decades on the air. Julie began her career in 1991 at the well-known radio station WSHE and can currently be heard weekday mornings on 101.5 LITE FM as one of Those 2 Girls in the Morning. A longtime community advocate and experienced narrator and speaker, Julie is a passionate supporter of numerous charitable organizations throughout South Florida. 

Children’s Harbor is also honored to partner with the Miss Kentucky Organization, an affiliate of the Miss America Pageant, and to welcome Miss Kentucky as the evening’s keynote speaker. Her story is both extraordinary and deeply moving. After aging out of the foster care system in Kentucky, where limited support exists for young adults, Miss Kentucky experienced homelessness. A chance encounter with a Miss America recruiter changed the trajectory of her life. Today, she uses her platform to advocate relentlessly for teens in foster care and young adults aging out of the system by sharing a message of resilience, hope, and the life-changing power of community support.

“Our community ensures that family means no one is left behind,” said Tiffani Dhooge, President & CEO of Children’s Harbor. “This night is about showing up for our teens, families, and for the moments that matter most. We are incredibly grateful to Vertical Bridge and to every supporter who makes it possible for Children’s Harbor to continue providing hope, healing, and opportunity for those we serve.” 

Children's Harbor is dedicated to strengthening families while providing safe shelter and essential support to teens and their younger siblings in foster care. Their mission is to empower teens in their care to grow into healthy, educated, and productive adults. Offering a harbor of hope and healing, Children's Harbor focuses on supporting children who have experienced the trauma of child abuse at its main campus in Pembroke Pines. Funds raised during the 13th Annual Harbor Lights Gala will directly benefit the nonprofit.

General admission tickets to the 13th Annual Harbor Lights Gala are $250 per person. Tickets are available for purchase at childrensharbor-2026harborlightsgala. For sponsorship information, contact info@childrensharbor.org.

To learn more about Children’s Harbor, visit childrensharbor.org.

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About Children’s Harbor

Established in 1996, Children’s Harbor is a nationally accredited child welfare organization with a mission to help strengthen families who are struggling in our community, while providing safe shelter and support to teens in foster care so that they may grow into healthy, educated, and productive adults.

With the belief that children should feel safe, that family is worth fighting for, and that cycles can be broken, Children’s Harbor provides a harbor of hope and healing for children who have been impacted by the trauma of child abuse.  The main campus in Pembroke Pines provides a supportive family environment for teenagers in foster care and their younger siblings. The family support services program prevents kids from coming into foster care by providing free in-home counseling and support to families who are struggling in the community. Additionally, Brown’s Harbor is a supportive housing community dedicated to serving young adults, aged 18-23, who have aged out of the foster care system.  These young adults are provided with affordable housing and the wrap-around support and independent living programs necessary to help them overcome their trauma and navigate through the early stages of adulthood.

To learn more about Children's Harbor and the difference we are making in the lives of children affected by trauma and abuse, please visit childrensharbor.org.