Interview with: Kevin Maloney, President & CEO
What is Children in Crisis, Inc.?
Children in Crisis, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a safe, stable, and loving homes for children who have been removed from abusive, abandoned, or neglectful situations and are placed in the foster care system throughout Northwest Florida. CIC operates The Children’s Neighborhood, a residential-style foster care community designed to keep siblings together. What is unique about us? We are one of seven nationally that have a neighborhood concept of fostering children. Through our programs and services, we work to restore hope, healing, and dignity to children and families in need. Our mission is rooted in creating a sanctuary of refuge where children can experience the support, care, and encouragement they deserve while helping families build stronger futures. In addition to foster homes, CIC offers emergency shelter services, transitional housing for teens aging out of foster care, recreational and educational support programs, and mental health counseling services.
How did this organization come about?
Children in Crisis, Inc. began in 2002 as a grassroots effort led by founder Sharilyn Darnell and a small group of dedicated community leaders and professionals who recognized a growing need for additional foster care resources in Northwest Florida. What began as a vision to create a loving, home-like environment has grown into a community-supported organization that serves children and families throughout Northwest Florida. In 2003, CIC officially became a nonprofit organization focused on raising funds to build, staff, and operate The Children’s Neighborhood. Since then, the organization has grown into a life-changing resource that has served more than one thousand children throughout Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. In 2007, Susanna Wesley Emergency Shelter and Blessings House Family Foster Home went under construction. In February 2008, they opened their doors and hearts to our first set of children. In 2010, The Children’s Neighborhood added its second foster home, Sue Sue’s Cottage. The cottage was funded by Dr. Doug Porter and Family, and the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. That same year, Children in Crisis, Inc., opened the Opportunity Home, a set of studio apartments for teenagers aging out of the foster care system to prevent homelessness in this incredibly vulnerable population. In 2012, we were blessed to open our third foster home, the Ya Ya House. This home was made possible by Jim and Peggy Adams, Frank and Brenda Flautt, and the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. In February 2015, we broke ground on our fourth foster home, the Travis Tringas Home. The last home that rounds out our neighborhood was built in 2016 and is the Ty Pennington home. In 2017, a founding board member and long-time supporter of Children in Crisis, Maj. Gen. Don Litke, USAF ret. Presented a check to CIC to fund construction of Kay’s Cupboard food pantry in memory of his wife Kay Litke. In 2022 The Children’s Neighborhood was blessed to have the King Whitmire Therapy Center built. Children are able to receive wrap-around and counseling services, keeping everything confined to The Children’s Neighborhood. As you can see, The Children’s Neighborhood was a well thought out community where children didn’t have to shelter dreams, but could nurture them, building a community where the echoes of resilience drown out the whispers of past struggles.
What impact does Children in Crisis have on the community?
The impact of Children in Crisis extends far beyond providing shelter. We help create stability for children during traumatic times, support foster and relative caregivers, and provide resources that strengthen families. Since inception, we have provided 1157 children a home, we have kept 322 sibling groups together, and we’ve provided 3,579 cumulative days of care for 2026. In total, we have provided 186,062 cumulative days of care between 2008-2025. There is a total of 324 providers in our circuit, with 1,753 children in some form of care. Of the 324 providers, 167 are level II foster homes, the same level as Children in Crisis, Inc. Out of the 167 providers available, there’s only 67 beds available, with 5 in Walton County, and 14 in Okaloosa. In our neighborhood, we have the potential to house 35 children, with another 12 in Shelter. The Opportunity Home, if at full capacity, houses 8 young adults. This brings our total number of children to 55 that we can provide a safe, nurturing, and thriving environment.
Does your organization host events?
Children in Crisis hosts several fundraising and community engagement events throughout the year that help support foster children in Northwest Florida. Signature events include:
- Easter Tree Campaign
- Charity Golf Tournaments
- Change for Children Campaign
- Holiday Donation Drives
- Volunteer Appreciation Events
- Community Partner Events
- Special Events and Activities at The Children’s Neighborhood
- These events help raise awareness, generate support for the organization’s programs and services, and bring the community together to make a positive impact on the lives of local children and teens in foster care.
What is your role and how did you get involved with Children in Crisis?
I’m the President and CEO of Children in Crisis, Inc. I was the CEO for another agency in Brevard County at the time CIC was searching for a new CEO. I came across their post on the Indeed job board and immediately felt a spiritual calling to apply for the position based on their need and mission. I have been in child welfare for over 20 years working at two of the largest Community Based Care Agencies in Central Florida in senior leadership positions. For a number of years, CBC’s have talked about a neighborhood concept, and to find out that one actually existed in the panhandle of Florida was exciting. I felt that I was coming home; Eglin AFB was my first duty station in my 20 years serving in the Air Force.
What would you like our readers to know about Children in Crisis?
I would like readers to know that Children in Crisis is truly a community-driven organization. Every child deserves to feel safe, loved, supported, and valued, and that is exactly what CIC works to provide every single day. I also want people to understand that it takes an entire community to make this possible. The support we receive from donors, volunteers, businesses, churches, and community partners directly impacts the lives of local children in foster care.
How can someone get involved and/or support your nonprofit?
There are many ways individuals, families, businesses, and organizations can support Children in Crisis.
- Community members can:
- Make financial donations
- Sponsor a program or event
- Volunteer their time and talents
- Donate clothing, school supplies, food, or household items
- Participate in fundraising events
- Become a foster parent or respite parent
- Partner with CIC through corporate sponsorships or community initiatives
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps provide safe homes, resources, and opportunities for children in need throughout Northwest Florida.
