The Story of Joey’s Outback Adventures
Michael and Francesca have always loved children. Unfortunately it wasn’t in the cards for them to have a child when they married late in life. Both come from families that value close relationships. They realized that there are many children in need of a strong family life, and so they looked into several organizations that place children in need with good families in South Florida. One of these organizations was Kids In Distress, and through KID, Michael and Francesca became certified foster parents. Shortly after being licensed, they were called and told that a 13-month old boy needed immediate placement into a foster-to-adopt family. They agreed to foster him, and he immediately won their hearts. Six months later, in May of 2009, they were fortunate enough to adopt him through Children’s Home Society. Michael and Francesca had finally found the joy of parenthood with their adopted son, Joey!
During the next couple of years, he developed a very sociable, outgoing personality. He enjoyed his playtime with his parents, but loved to be with other children as well. As older parents, there were not many opportunities for this. The couple took Joey to a variety of different places to play, learn, and have fun, but never found somewhere that had everything in one place. To spend as much time as possible with him during his formative years, they developed the concept of a children’s play, learn and party recreation center with an educational component. And so, Joey’s Outback Adventures was born! Michael and Francesca created a place where their son (and other children) could get plenty of physical exercise while gaining strength and balance along with socialization. The 14,000-square foot center opened in February of 2012.
Children also learn by attending enrichment classes and at the same time, they enjoy a very social, party atmosphere. Joey’s Outback Adventures not only enables Joey to play and learn with Mommy and Daddy every day, yet can spread the joy and opportunity for other children and their parents!
The purpose of Joey’s Outback is to bring smiles to other children as it does for Joey, while at the same time providing a place where parents can come and enjoy their children while they play, learn, and party. Mommy and Daddy can relax in the parent lounge, read a book, watch television, have use of free Wi-Fi, and enjoy themselves, knowing that their children are in a safe and secure, family-oriented environment. Children can even play and interact with the center’s engaging family of “Roo-mates”.
There are so many children right here in Palm Beach County in need of loving homes and happy times that during the course of the coming years, Joey’s Outback Adventures will be having fundraisers for various children’s organizations, to help bring joy and happiness to other children who are less fortunate than their beloved Joey. They look forward to seeing everyone’s child come to play, learn and party at Joey’s Outback Adventures with Joey’s big, happy “family”. www.JoeysOutback.com