Author Archives: Jay Butchko
A Path Home: How Advocacy Reunited a Family by Troy Mainzer, Carlton Fields
By Troy Mainzer, Carlton Fields, P.A. In May 2023, I was appointed along with co-counsel to represent a young man in Tampa, Florida who had been picked up by police and sent to the Hillsborough County detention center. He had been sleeping outside due to circumstances that led him to leave his home. Despite… Read More »
Volunteer Spotlight: Betsey Hapner, Hapner Law
Betsey Hapner has been a fixture in Hillsborough County’s juvenile justice system for longer than Crossroads For Florida Kids has existed. She started volunteering as an Attorney Ad Litem when then-Judge Ashley Moody first launched the program, years before Crossroads took shape as an organization. Her reason for getting involved has stayed the same… Read More »
Crossroads For Florida Kids Appoints Troy Mainzer to Board of Directors, Will Lead Attorney Recruitment and Retention Committee
Crossroads For Florida Kids is pleased to announce the appointment of Troy A. Mainzer, an attorney with Carlton Fields, P.A., to its Board of Directors. In his new role, Mainzer will chair the organization’s Attorney Recruitment and Retention Committee, helping expand and strengthen Crossroads’ network of volunteer attorneys dedicated to serving vulnerable children across… Read More »
All Rise! A Night of Power, Purpose, and Possibility
We recently hosted “All Rise! A Night of Power, Purpose & Possibility,” an interactive educational experience that brought foster youth together with attorneys, judges, advocates, mentors, and community supporters for an evening centered on knowing their rights, recognizing their power, and imagining what is possible for their futures. Youth from Crossroads For Florida Kids… Read More »
A New Partnership, A Shared Mission
Crossroads For Florida Kids is proud to announce a new partnership with Community Foundation Tampa Bay, a cornerstone of philanthropy in this region for decades. We are deeply humbled and grateful to be counted among their partners. Their generous $50,000 grant will help us grow our volunteer attorney program by recruiting and training new… Read More »
Volunteer Spotlight: Tomas Yi, Yi & Z Law Group and Chief Legal Officer at St. Vincent de Paul CARES
What inspired you to become an Attorney Ad Litem volunteer with Crossroads For Florida Kids? I was inspired to become an Attorney Ad Litem volunteer with Crossroads for Florida Kids because I believe every child deserves to have someone in their corner who is focused on their voice, their rights, and their future…. Read More »
Crossroads in the Community: August 2026
This past month, Crossroads showed up in two rooms. One was full of attorneys who could join our cause, and the other was full of youth and organizations serving the same kids we do. HCBA Young Lawyers Division: Get Involved! On July 16, we joined the Hillsborough County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division for… Read More »
Judicial Spotlight: The Honorable Kim Brennan
Q. Working on juvenile delinquency and mental health cases can be emotionally heavy—what keeps you motivated or gives you hope when working with young people facing difficult circumstances? A combination of having seen these kids be successfully rehabilitated and the joy of their parents and other family members when it happens provides the motivation… Read More »
Save the Date: All Rise! A Night of Power, Purpose, and Possibility
Clear your schedule for August 20 because this night is going to be something special. Crossroads For Florida Kids is joining forces with Madi’s Movement and Florida Youth SHINE for All Rise! A Night of Power, Purpose & Possibility, a musicinfused evening of storytelling, honest conversation, and real inspiration created for the children and… Read More »
Volunteer Spotlight: Julia Harrison, Holland & Knight LLP
What inspired you to become an Attorney Ad Litem volunteer with Crossroads For Florida Kids? I was inspired to become an Attorney Ad Litem volunteer with Crossroads For Florida Kids by a desire to have a direct and meaningful impact on vulnerable children. In my day-to-day practice, a significant portion of my work is… Read More »