The nonprofit steps into the spotlight with a Winter Wonderland debut and a glittering Palm Beach kickoff ahead of its 19th Annual Children’s Day Luncheon.
Families First of Palm Beach County has long been recognized for its unwavering dedication to children and families, but this November, the organization’s mission is meeting a moment of grandeur and goodwill. The charity’s name will appear twice on Palm Beach’s most exclusive social calendar, first as a featured participant in the Winter Wonderland Nonprofit Partner Reception and Tree Decor Competition, and then at the Villa Bice red carpet VIP kickoff celebration preceding the highly anticipated Families First Annual Luncheon.
On November 3, 2025, The Ben Hotel in West Palm Beach will welcome supporters and philanthropists to a festive evening titled Winter Wonderland. The event promises an elegant display of themed holiday trees presented by local nonprofits, with Families First among the participants. Guests will be treated to a performance by Ballet Florida and will enjoy the hotel’s signature service with complimentary valet parking. The event serves as both a celebration and a reminder of the importance of community partnership in shaping brighter futures for Palm Beach County families.
Just one evening later, on November 4, 2025, the celebration continues with the Families First VIP Annual Luncheon Celebration hosted by the Castle Group and Luncheon Chair Lady Denise Fraile. The private villa behind Bice Ristorante on Worth Avenue will provide the setting for an evening of camaraderie and anticipation. The guest list, a blend of civic leaders, philanthropists, and long-time Families First advocates, will gather from 6 to 8 p.m. for light bites, champagne toasts, and a shared appreciation for the organization’s enduring impact.
This elegant kickoff sets the tone for the grand culmination of the week: the 19th Annual Families First of Palm Beach County Children’s Day Luncheon on Friday, November 7, at the Kravis Center. The luncheon, a highlight of the Palm Beach philanthropic season, will once again unite the community around the cause of strengthening families and protecting children.
Guided by Luncheon Chairperson Lady Denise S. Fraile, the event brings together leaders whose dedication continues to inspire measurable change. Her partnership with Castle Group CEO Jordan Goldman underscores the strong corporate alliances that help Families First expand its reach. Their shared vision of lifting families through care, advocacy, and action has positioned the event as one of the most impactful gatherings in Palm Beach County’s charitable landscape.
The Kravis Center luncheon will feature a carefully curated program that honors the organization’s achievements and future goals. Emmy Award-winning journalist and media founder Toni May will preside as Master of Ceremonies, bringing her signature professionalism and warmth to the stage. Author and humanitarian Mary Giuseffi, known for her bestselling works and commitment to empowerment, will appear as keynote speaker, sharing reflections on resilience and compassion.
Adding an element of international prestige, His Highness Doctor Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe will serve as Event Ambassador. Recognized for his global humanitarian initiatives and distinguished honors, his presence symbolizes the event’s reach beyond regional borders, aligning Palm Beach philanthropy with worldwide advocacy for peace and progress.
The synergy between these events exemplifies the unity of purpose that defines Families First. From the artistry of the Winter Wonderland trees to the refined gatherings at Bice and the Kravis Center, each celebration reinforces a message of connection and care. The shared efforts of sponsors, donors, and volunteers sustain programs that provide counseling, education, and vital support services to countless local families.
Guests attending the VIP celebration at Villa Bice will step into an evening designed with intention and grace. The villa’s architecture, a hallmark of Worth Avenue sophistication, offers an ideal backdrop for conversation and recognition. Each moment, from the first toast to the final farewell, reflects the gratitude of an organization rooted in the values of generosity and progress.
At the Kravis Center, attendees will witness the culmination of months of preparation by the Families First team. The luncheon promises a blend of inspiration and purpose, inviting every guest to take part in the continuing story of change. Tables are already in high demand, and the near sold-out status of the event confirms its reputation as one of Palm Beach’s most anticipated annual gatherings.
Through these events, Families First of Palm Beach County continues to demonstrate the power of collective goodwill. The organization’s leadership remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing environment supported by a community that believes in their potential.
In a season filled with celebration, Palm Beach County will once again gather to recognize that impact begins with care, and care begins with people who choose to make a difference. The coming week will not only honor the spirit of the holidays but also renew the promise of hope that defines the work of Families First every day.
Families First of Palm Beach County: Empowering Generations Through Care & Connection
Nurturing stronger homes, one family at a time.
At the heart of Palm Beach County lies a beacon of hope for families navigating adversity. Since its founding in 1990, Families First of Palm Beach County has quietly transformed the lives of thousands of children, parents and caregivers. With a philosophy grounded in strength-building, prevention and early intervention, the agency has become an essential pillar of support for families facing behavioral health challenges, maternal and infant risk, housing instability and other pressing obstacles.
From its modest beginnings addressing the needs of infants and toddlers and their families, Families First has evolved into a multi-program social services organization rooted in compassion, evidence-based care and community connection. The organization’s mission is clear: through innovative programming, they aim to promote generational change by addressing families’ emotional, physical and social well-being. Their vision: that Palm Beach County families are healthy, safe and resilient. Complementing this is their equity statement, which underscores a commitment to empowering families of all histories and lived experiences by promoting togetherness and honoring differences.
Foundational Years and Evolving Purpose
When Families First opened its doors over three decades ago, the focus was on case management for very young children and their caregivers. That foundation in early childhood work became a launching pad for broader initiatives. As community needs shifted, the agency expanded to include behavioral health services, kinship caregiver support, supportive housing options and maternal-infant health programs. Over time they realized that to truly break intergenerational cycles of adversity, interventions must begin early, span multiple domains and meet families where they are.
This evolution produced an organization that serves children from birth through age 22, and intervenes not only in crises but also proactively in prevention. As of recent accounts, Families First has served more than 57,000 children and family members since 1990 through its network of prevention and early-intervention services. These efforts have yielded meaningful outcomes, including reductions in child maltreatment, improved school readiness and avoidance of expensive dependency or juvenile justice services.
Programs That Make a Difference
Families First’s program roster reflects the depth and range of its work. Among its flagship initiatives are:
- Healthy Families Florida: This home-visiting, evidence-based program supports new parents, helping build safe, stable, nurturing environments for young children and increasing family self-sufficiency.
- Child First: A two-generation, intensive home-based intervention for very young children and their families who have experienced trauma, neglect, or substance use exposure. The goal is to build strong parent-child relationships and reduce developmental risk.
- Infant Mental Health: With a focus on children from birth to five, this program supports social and emotional development, secure attachment and early readiness for learning.
- TOPWA (Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women At Risk): A specialized outreach and intervention effort aimed at pregnant women at high risk of HIV, substance exposure or poor birth outcomes. Since 1999, the program has reported 100% of babies born to HIV+ mothers enrolled in TOPWA have tested HIV-negative.
- Behavioral Health & Community Support: Serving children and youth ages six to 22 (and their families), these services provide trauma-informed therapeutic interventions, in-school or community settings, including for those at risk of juvenile justice involvement.
- Kin Support Project: A service stream for relative caregivers—grandparents, aunts/uncles, adult siblings—raising children whose parents are unable to do so. Families receive counselling, advocacy, legal linkage and other support.
- Bridges to Success: Permanent housing with supportive services for families impacted by homelessness, mental illness, substance use or chronic disability, primarily in western communities of the county.
Each of these programs underscores a core principle: working with families from a place of strength, listening first, designing individualized plans and moving beyond crisis into long-term resilience.
Anchored in Community
Families First maintains multiple service sites across Palm Beach County, including West Palm Beach, Belle Glade and Wellington. Its main West Palm Beach headquarters is located at 3333 Forest Hill Blvd., 2nd Floor. The Belle Glade office addresses needs in the Glades region and the Wellington location connects with residents in western and suburban communities.
Over the years, the agency has forged partnerships with school districts, Head Start programs, legal aid organizations, health care providers and community stakeholders to ensure wrap-around support. It engages in outreach in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Creole) to meet the county’s diverse population.
Leadership and Culture
At the helm is Chief Executive Officer Julie Swindler, MSW, LCSW, supported by a leadership team including Elsira Bravo, MPH (Chief Program Officer); Melissa Wijngaarde, LCSW, IMH-E® (Director of Maternal & Infant Mental Health); Diana Cardona, LMHC (Clinical Director of Behavioral Health & Community Support); among others. Their collective guidance steers an organization grounded in values, evidence and community responsiveness.
Families First describes its culture as one where staff treat families like trusted partners, respect individual dynamics, build on existing strengths and honor the lived experience of each family. The focus is on empowerment rather than deficit.
Impact and Outcomes
Data published by the organization and external sources illustrate significant impact. For example, in its Healthy Families program in 2024, 100 % of the 390 families served improved their parenting skills and increased family stability. In the Child First stream, 96 % of families completed services, and 100 % improved on at least one domain. In the housing program Bridges to Success, 100 % of families maintained stable housing and 95 % maintained income from wages or benefits. These outcomes translate into cost-savings for the broader community by reducing dependency on child welfare, juvenile justice and special education systems.
Rooted in Prevention
What sets Families First apart is not simply that it responds to crises, but that it intervenes early. By focusing on prenatal outreach, infancy, early childhood attachment and supporting kinship caregivers, the agency works to stem the tide of intergenerational trauma. The logic is clear: helping a parent learn to regulate emotions and respond sensitively to a baby, or supporting a grandparent raising grandchildren, can alter a trajectory away from later dysfunction. Their programs aim to make the brain focused on learning instead of survival.
Responding to Changing Needs
Over three decades the agency has adapted to evolving community needs. As the understanding of trauma, toxic stress and early brain development has grown, Families First incorporated home-based models, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based interventions. The shift toward permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless families reflects recognition of the deep link between housing stability, mental health and child outcomes. The TOPWA outreach reflects attention to HIV exposure, substance use and prenatal risk. In each instance the agency has responded with thoughtful design and measurable results.
Invitation to Engage
Families First offers multiple entry points for community support—be it through volunteering, corporate partnership, donation or event sponsorship. Their annual Children’s Day Luncheon is one of the signature events where community members join to support and celebrate the agency’s work. The organization’s commitment to donor stewardship, evidence-based outcomes and community accountability makes it an appealing partner for philanthropy rooted in real-world results.
A Continuing Story of Hope
Today, Families First stands as an anchor for families across Palm Beach County whose lives might otherwise drift into neglect, instability or disrupted potential. It serves as a reminder that every child, every parent, every caregiver can benefit from access, support and belief in their capacity. The work is ongoing, the challenges remain real, but through prevention, early intervention, whole-family care and community allyship, Families First demonstrates that generational change is possible.
In a world where headlines often spotlight crises, Families First of Palm Beach County reminds us of the quiet power of connected services, thoughtful design, skilled staff and caring community partnerships. Families grow stronger. Children find solid footing. Communities benefit. The story continues.
Bice Palm Beach: The Enduring Elegance of a Legendary Italian Institution
For more than three decades, Bice Palm Beach has stood as one of the island’s most enduring and sophisticated dining destinations, a gathering place where refined Italian cuisine meets the genteel pace of Palm Beach life. The restaurant, nestled just off Worth Avenue, has become a beloved institution that blends continental style with the quiet confidence of timeless hospitality.
From the moment guests approach its discreet façade, Bice reveals the essence of Palm Beach tradition. Inside, soft tones, polished wood, and crisp linens create a restrained yet elegant backdrop for a meal that is never hurried. The service follows the same rhythm, polished but never intrusive, guided by a team that understands the art of discretion and the power of consistency. Generations of visitors, seasonal residents, and local patrons have found in Bice a sense of continuity, a place where every detail feels preserved by time yet never dated.
The menu represents the lineage of the original Milan restaurant opened by Beatrice Ruggeri, affectionately known as Bice, whose name became synonymous with Italian sophistication. In Palm Beach, the culinary philosophy remains faithful to that heritage. House-made pasta arrives in precise portions, sauces are balanced and clear in flavor, and the presentation reflects both Italian authenticity and the elegance expected of a Palm Beach address. The tagliolini with lobster, risotto alla Milanese, and vitello tonnato have become signatures, known for their quality and unwavering execution.
Over the years, Bice Palm Beach has evolved gently while maintaining its core identity. The clientele spans a remarkable range: families who have dined there for decades, international visitors who seek familiar refinement, and a younger generation drawn to its unforced glamour. The dining room often carries a low hum of conversation, punctuated by the quiet clink of glassware and the calm assurance of a restaurant that never needs to prove itself.
Beyond its cuisine, Bice holds an important place in the island’s social fabric. It is a favored setting for business lunches, quiet celebrations, and elegant evenings that often extend onto the terrace, where palm-lined views form the understated scenery. In a town known for exclusivity, Bice manages to balance accessibility with prestige, offering a space that feels both grand and welcoming. Its reputation has grown organically, without the need for spectacle, sustained instead by loyalty and word of mouth.
A Heritage of Italian Hospitality
Bice’s enduring appeal lies in its consistency. In an era of constant reinvention, it continues to offer what discerning guests most value: reliability, grace, and a sense of belonging. The kitchen’s commitment to traditional recipes reflects an understanding that refinement often resides in simplicity. Olive oil is chosen for purity, pasta dough is made daily, and each plate reflects a balance between authenticity and subtle luxury.
The staff, many of whom have worked at Bice for years, embody the spirit of true hospitality. Their attentiveness feels intuitive, their presence reassuring. For longtime patrons, these familiar faces are as much a part of the experience as the food itself. Conversations between staff and guests often carry the warmth of long acquaintance, reinforcing the restaurant’s role as a cornerstone of Palm Beach dining life.
The wine list, meticulously curated, leans toward Italian estates, offering selections from Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto alongside notable French and American vintages. Each pairing is designed to enhance, never overpower, the menu’s refined flavors. Desserts, such as the classic tiramisu or a light panna cotta, provide a graceful finish, confirming Bice’s devotion to elegance in every course.
The Spirit of Worth Avenue
Located steps from the celebrated boutiques of Worth Avenue, Bice has become an unofficial annex to Palm Beach’s cultural life. After an afternoon of art galleries or shopping, the restaurant serves as a sanctuary where visitors can pause and reconnect over a leisurely lunch or evening meal. It has hosted generations of Palm Beach families, visiting dignitaries, and figures from the worlds of art, business, and society. Yet its atmosphere remains serene, defined by civility rather than celebrity.
The restaurant’s design mirrors its philosophy: Mediterranean touches are balanced with Florida’s brightness, creating an environment that feels effortlessly cosmopolitan. The bar area, intimate and polished, invites conversation, while the main dining room maintains a tranquil rhythm suited to both casual diners and formal gatherings. Every aspect is intentional, every element aligned with the restaurant’s long-standing identity.
In the quiet continuity of Bice Palm Beach, one finds a reflection of the island itself. The restaurant represents a Palm Beach that values elegance without ostentation, service without pretense, and quality without excess. It has endured through changing times by remaining true to its origins, a rare feat in a world that often favors novelty over tradition.
A Living Tradition
Bice’s success is measured not by trends but by the generations who return. It is a place where anniversaries are remembered, where a familiar table may be reserved season after season, and where the comfort of recognition elevates every visit. Such constancy is rare and forms the essence of its legend.
In Palm Beach, where beauty and heritage intersect, Bice continues to embody the enduring grace of Italian dining. It stands quietly among the island’s most respected establishments, a place where refinement feels natural, and every detail reflects a dedication to timeless hospitality. For those who value authenticity and continuity, Bice remains one of Palm Beach’s true treasures, a restaurant that has never lost sight of what makes dining an art of elegance and ease.
* His Highness and Excellency Global Peace Ambassador Dr. PRINCE MARIO-MAX SCHAUMBURG-LIPPE is a working Royal, award winning TV- and Event-Host, Bertelsmann Randomhouse author, Public Speaker and Philanthropist ♔ Prince Mario-Max is the son of Royal Dignitaries H.H. Dr.h.c. Prince Waldemar and H.H. Dr. Princess Antonia of Schaumburg-Lippe. His Grandmother is H.R.H. Princess Feodora of Denmark. Therefore they are the Royal Danish Nachod Line of The Princes of Schaumburg-Lippe, the Founding Family of Hamburg, Lübeck and Kiel. ♔ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/princemariomax/ Website http://www.schaumburglippe.org Facebook https://www.facebook.com/zuschaumburglippe X-Twitter https://twitter.com/schaumburglippe Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/prince-mario-max-schaumburg-lippe-1879978a
