Holland & Knight received the Community Partnership Award from Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options (JAFCO) during JAFCO's annual "Growing with Love Gala" on December 14. The award recognizes a community partner for its steadfast support and commitment to advancing JAFCO's programs and initiatives. Holland & Knight attorney Jeff Schacknow accepted the award on the firm's behalf.
"The gala is a testament to the compassion, love and generosity of our incredible JAFCO family," said JAFCO CEO Sarah Franco. "Through the support of our donors, staff and community partners, we will continue to ensure that every child we serve has the love, care and opportunities they all deserve…giving every child a place to belong."
Since its founding in 1992, JAFCO has provided services to more than 20,000 children and their families in South Florida through a complete continuum of services. JAFCO's core programs include Family Preservation, Foster Care & Adoption, Group Homes, Emergency Shelter, and Mentoring and Independent Living for abused, neglected and abandoned children. The organization also provides support, family enrichment and respite services to families raising children with autism and other developmental disabilities. JAFCO additionally provides trauma and wellness programs for children, parents and teachers impacted by a school shooting or any trauma.
With Mr. Schacknow's coordination and role on the board of trustees for the JAFCO Children's Village program, Holland & Knight and its attorneys have expanded their partnership with JAFCO to provide pro bono support to the organization through numerous Hague abduction cases. JAFCO and the firm's partnership leverages the Hague Abduction Convention to protect children from international parental abduction by ensuring their prompt return to their habitual residence for custody and visitation decisions made by the proper court. Additionally, the firm and JAFCO are also partnering together on Jewish community work, which includes a Hannukah gift donation program in conjunction with the newly formed Jewish Lawyer Association of Palm Beach.
Based in West Palm Beach, Florida, Mr. Schacknow is a member of the firm's Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice. Mr. Schacknow focuses his practice on complex civil and commercial litigation, as well as white collar criminal defense, government investigations and providing representation in anti-human trafficking efforts.
Original source can be found here.