QA with Anne Soule

Where did you grow up, and what city do you now call home?

I was born in Denver, Colorado, but spent most of my years in Maryland. Now, despite the hot, humid summers, I call Orlando home. The city has so much to offer.

What are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Caring, Curious and Optimistic

Tell us about your background before coming to The Howard Phillips Center.

My early years in corporate positions exposed me to helpful leadership development training. Then, my years with nonprofits taught me how important it is to build relationships. Before coming to Orlando, I directed the activities for several programs similar to The Howard Phillips Center. I was also an adjunct professor, where I taught developmental trauma in early childhood. I followed my husband to Orlando for a job offer and am humbled and thrilled to serve the center now.

What led you to this kind of work?

As my children (I have two, both grown) entered elementary school, I looked for work to allow me to participate in their school activities. I found part-time work in the social services sector and fell in love with its mission-driven nature. It is an honor to walk alongside parents and families as they deal with the most personal moments of their lives.

What do you wish people knew about The Howard Phillips Center?

Oh, so much!  I wish everyone understood how important it is to care about children in their early years, not only because it is the right thing to do but because it impacts all of us. When we support parents in creating safe, stable, nurturing environments, children are more likely to develop robust neural connections in their brains, meaning they can enter kindergarten ready to listen, learn and make decisions. When children can do this, they are more likely to achieve appropriate reading levels by third grade. This increases their chances of graduating high school, getting a job and ultimately living healthier lives. When these needs are neglected, it can lead to higher drop-out rates, incarcerations, living with chronic illness or being dependent on social programs. People are often surprised to learn that behavioral challenges in 14 and 15-year-olds can frequently be traced back to their mothers’ high levels of stress during pregnancy. The early investment of a community through the programs we offer at the center leads to a stronger community.

What is one of the most important things you would share about the center?

The team here is fantastic. They are caring, knowledgeable professionals who show up every day (including holidays and hurricanes) to do emotionally challenging work. They love what they do and genuinely care about the children and families receiving the services they need to overcome and heal.

Where do you see the most growth for the center in the next decade?

I would love to see our prevention programs grow so every newborn has access to our services and every teen has access to healthcare. As we get closer to this goal, I believe we will see a reduction in the number of families dealing with abuse and neglect.

Why is philanthropy essential for the six programs at the center?

Despite our team’s efforts to cover the cost of our programs through various contracts and grants, there are always additional expenses to cover. Philanthropy is a way for community members to demonstrate how much they care about the families we serve, which is also meaningful to our team members. We could not do what we do, as well as we do, without the support of philanthropy.

What might someone be surprised to learn about you?

I come from a long line of nuns, nurses and teachers, so serving the community feels like work I was meant to do.

What are some of your favorite hobbies or weekend activities?

I love spending my weekends sleeping, reading, catching up with my family and friends and playing with my new five-month-old puppy...and I have the teeth marks to prove it!

Is there anything you’d like to add?

Yes, I would like to invite anyone and everyone who has not yet toured The Howard Phillips Center to contact us to schedule one. We are so proud of our facility and the work we do here; we want everyone to know about it.

To schedule a tour, contact Amy Drury at [email protected].