[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 57 (Friday, March 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E299-E300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING PLACE OF HOPE AND ITS FOUNDER AND CEO, CHARLES BENDER FOR 
 20 YEARS OF SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, HOMELESSNESS, AND 
                           HUMAN TRAFFICKING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THEODORE E. DEUTCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 26, 2021

  Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, as a member of the House of 
Representatives, I take any example of abuse to our citizens extremely 
seriously. It is incumbent on the entire United States Congress to do 
our part to tackle this problem. For two decades, Place of Hope and its 
founder and CEO, Charles Bender, have taken the baton and run its share 
of the race. Entering its 20th year, the organization continues to do 
phenomenal work in one part of our pursuit of a more perfect union.

[[Page E300]]

  Since its inception, the organization has provided support to over 
17,000 survivors of human trafficking, homeless kids, and foster 
children. To this date, a remarkable 320 ``forever families'' have been 
created via adoption. Place of Hope has also helped to generate much-
needed awareness for this issue. Over 40,000 community members have 
been educated about human trafficking under Place of Hope.
  Over the years, the organization has expanded its outreach and become 
a more diverse enterprise. Beginning in 2008, a need for a more robust 
community foster care program was found. As a result, Homes of Hope was 
created to help recruit families in the local community to adopt foster 
children. The Peter and Fern Barsanti Family Life Center was opened in 
2010 as another measure to provide therapy and other recreational 
necessities to the children within the organization's supervision.
  Organizations like Place of Hope are invaluable to making the world a 
better place for the next generation, particularly those that have 
endured unimaginable hardship. Children who have been through 
trafficking, abuse, and neglect have a continuum of support available 
to them through this terrific project that will continue to do 
marvelous work for our youth. Designating the month of May as the 20th 
anniversary of Place of Hope is a necessary step for us to take to help 
ensure awareness is raised and progress is made.

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