Crossroads Rising: Our 2025 State of the Union
By: Lisa Kilbride, Board President
Crossroads For Florida Kids closed 2025 stronger than it began, propelled by continued growth in volunteer engagement and a surge in impact for the youth who need us most. Nearly 3,000 pro bono hours were contributed this year, and the number of attorneys reporting service rose from 65 to 76—40 of whom contributed 20 or more hours—expanding our “Army of Pro Bono Attorneys” in meaningful ways.
Our strongest impact remained in Juvenile Mental Health Court, where youth often face some of the most complex challenges in the system. With the support of Crossroads AALs, many were able to complete the program, have their delinquency charges dismissed, and access the education and mental health supports essential to their stability. After meeting with judges to share how Crossroads can assist the children appearing before them, we also began receiving increased referrals in truancy matters and for dependent teens preparing to age out of foster care—two areas where legal advocacy can dramatically change long‑term outcomes.
This was also a year when the community’s appreciation for our volunteers was unmistakable. From the organization being named a Community Hero by the Tampa Bay Lightning to volunteer recognition from The Florida Bar, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, and the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the extraordinary service of Crossroads volunteers was celebrated across the legal community. These honors reflect the quality of advocacy our volunteers provide, and the trust placed in Crossroads to stand beside children who would otherwise navigate the system alone.
Behind the scenes, we strengthened the infrastructure that makes this impact possible. We improved internal processes to make smarter, more intentional case pairings so youth are matched with attorneys whose strengths best meet their needs. We modernized our digital communications, expanded our reach to new donors and strengthened our partnerships, becoming a qualified grantee with Funding Florida Legal Aid and forming new relationships with local foundations invested in our mission. We also expanded and diversified our Board of Directors and navigated a major leadership transition as our founders moved into Director Emeriti roles. This transition—one of the most significant in our organization’s history—was carried out with thoughtful planning and purpose, ensuring continuity while supporting long term organizational health.
Together, these achievements created a powerful foundation for the future. With an expanding network of volunteer attorneys, strengthened systems, broader partnerships, and steady leadership, Crossroads enters 2026 poised to serve more children, deepen community engagement, and continue delivering the high‑quality, trauma‑informed advocacy every young person deserves.
