Leading With Purpose: Charles Bender and the Mission of Place of Hope

In this episode of the Palm Beach North Podcast, we sit down with Charles Bender, Founding CEO of Place of Hope, one of South Florida’s most impactful faith-based nonprofits. With over two decades of leadership, Charles has built an organization that provides safety, stability, and support to children, youth, and families facing trauma, abuse, and homelessness.

Charles shares how his background shaped his leadership philosophy, the challenges and victories of building Place of Hope, and how his team empowers children to overcome adversity. From combatting human trafficking to launching statewide programs, Charles explains why purpose, faith, and community are at the heart of everything he does—and how businesses and residents can play a part in making a difference.

Topics Covered:

- Charles’ personal journey into nonprofit leadership

- The founding and evolution of Place of Hope

- Creating family-style care and trauma-informed environments

- Combating human trafficking in South Florida

- Preparing teens aging out of foster care for independence

- Leadership, legacy, and building sustainable teams

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Tampa General Hospital.

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