Foreword by William R. Foman, Esquire
I met Eddie Stephens in 2007 when our sons joined Cub Scouts together. It was my first experience with Scouts, but Eddie was already a volunteer leader with the organization, having an older son involved with the group. Very soon, despite my lazy nature, Eddie’s dedication to volunteerism inspired me to sign up and get involved.
Eddie Stephens is dedicated to using his leadership skills to help his community. Eddie has a way of using his own example of dedication and passion as a subtle nudge which makes everyone around him want to get involved. More than once over our ten year friendship, I have been inspired to action by what I like to call Eddie’s “infectious energy”. Eddie not only understands that each and every one of us has our own valuable talents, but he also has a talent for knowing how to organize those various uniquely talented folks to form a successful team.
Eddie’s book combines his passion for leadership and teaching with his special insight into family law, resulting in a great resource. This year, Eddie is donating the proceeds from his book to the Center for Child Counseling, a non-profit which provides mental health resources to children and their care givers in Palm Beach County, Florida.
When he’s not representing clients, Eddie volunteers on the Board for the Center for Child Counseling, acts as the Chairperson for the Leadership Palm Beach GROW teen leadership program, and spends time with his lovely wife and his two sons. Eddie dedicates his time and efforts to helping make our community a better place. He not only gives his own time and money, but by example, his “infectious energy” gets others involved. I am both proud and privileged to call him my friend.
William R. Foman, Esq.
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Introduction by Renée E. Layman, LMHC, CEO of Center for Child Counseling
In 2017, Eddie joined the Board of Directors for the Center for Child Counseling after engaging with the organization for two years. As a board member, Eddie is a passionate advocate for Center for a Child Counseling’s mission of building the foundation for playful, healthful, and hopeful living for children and families in Palm Beach County.
The foundation for lifelong health is built in infancy and early childhood. Research shows that children living with chronic adversity and trauma often face a lifetime of challenges, with a twenty-year shorter life expectancy. In the absence of healthy or buffering relationships, toxic stress related to trauma impacts physical and mental health, continuing the intergenerational cycle of abuse, violence, mental illness, and substance abuse. Creating these buffering relationships that prevent a lifetime of challenges is at the heart of Center for Child Counseling’s work.
Children carry the effects of childhood experiences well into adulthood and throughout the lifespan. Exposure to toxic stress and ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) puts children at higher risk for learning difficulties, emotional and developmental issues, and long-term health problems. Since 1999, Center for Child Counseling has focused on addressing childhood adversity and trauma for the most vulnerable children and families, ameliorating the devastating impact on their minds and bodies. Center for Child a Counseling is also on the frontlines, providing trauma treatment for children who have experienced sexual and physical abuse, loss, complicated grief, and other traumatic circumstances no child should ever endure. Eddie’s dedication to this cause is inspirational. His generosity and support (time, talent, and treasure) of Center for Child Counseling’s work and therapists is felt throughout the organization.
In addition, Eddie is helping us lead the fight against ACEs in Palm Beach County. In 2017, Eddie was the main speaker at Center for Child Counseling’s inaugural ‘Lead the Fight’ breakfast, telling his personal story of resilience and hope to over one hundred business and community leaders. He is a strong, energetic advocate for mental health, using his personal journey and platform as a board member to create awareness and a call to action for effective strategies to ensure our next generation is healthier and happier.
We are so grateful that Eddie is donating the proceeds from his book to Center for Child Counseling. In addition to grants, we rely on the generosity of individuals in our community to continue to provide immediate, effective trauma counseling for children. We hope you consider joining Eddie with a gift to support a child’s healing: https://www.centerforchildcounseling.org/ways-to-give/donate-online/
For more information about the organization, visit www.centerforchildcounseling.org.
Stephens & Stephens Marital & Family Law 