The Florida Chapter operates in the Greater Tampa Bay area, where nearly 5,000 kiddos entered the child welfare system in the last 12 months due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect. In the state of Florida, Hillsborough County ranks #1 in child removals and the Pasco/Pinellas Circuit is #2 (as of Feb 2020).

To address this problem, Man Up Tampa Bay launched its Man Up 100 initiative which aims to recruit 100 men in the Bay area who fight for the fatherless and demonstrate what Authentic Masculinity looks like.

Practically this takes place in our Adopt a Family program, in which foster families and relative/non-relative caregivers are served each month by our volunteers. This might look like some or all of the following:

• Providing respite care or meals;
• Completing special projects around the home;
• Providing opportunities for foster families to go on special outings;
• Buying diapers, formula, and other essentials;
• Providing Christmas/birthday presents and/or vouchers;
• Attending educational trainings to increase empathy and understanding.