Sylvia Thomas was a trailblazer among child welfare professionals in Hillsborough County, Florida. Dedicated to families, she championed the need to ensure permanency in family relationships for the adoptive and foster families in her charge. Sylvia tirelessly worked in her community to help dependent and displaced children and their families overcome obstacles, evolve together, and grow as a family should. Sylvia made herself available to families as a listener, supporter, assistant, and advisor. She solved everyday challenges that adoptive and foster families and children face.

Following her untimely death in 2000, friends and colleagues chose to honor her memory by creating a safe place for adoptive and foster families to share their struggles and their successes. From the vision, the Sylvia Thomas Center was born. As a 501(c)(3) organization, STC continues to operate free of charge to families by receiving funding from Eckerd Connects – Hillsborough (our local community-based care lead agency), corporate foundations, civic organizations, and private donors and volunteers.

Without the generosity of our donors, partners, and community, we could not do what we do.