Each year, Tropical Financial Credit Union and the Florida Panthers come together to recognize an extraordinary individual making a meaningful difference in our community through the Community Hero Award.
This year, we are proud to honor Joan Englert as the 2026 Community Hero, selected from an inspiring group of 525 nominees for her decades-long commitment to children and families in crisis.
Joan’s selection reflects a lifetime of quiet, consistent service that has transformed lives in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties, and beyond through the work of 4KIDS. She has dedicated her career to equipping caregivers with the tools, encouragement, and guidance they need to provide stable, nurturing environments for kids who have experienced trauma and disruption. Today, Joan serves in Foster Parent Support and Training at 4KIDS of South Florida.
“Joan is being recognized for her incredible impact through 4KIDS, an organization she joined to support children and families in crisis,” said Tropical Financial Credit Union chief executive officer Rick Shaw. “We are proud to honor Joan for her dedication to fostering brighter futures and making a lasting difference in our community.”
Her work builds on a legacy that stretches back to the early days of 4KIDS, when community leaders began reimagining how the church and wider community could respond to the foster care crisis in South Florida. The ministry’s early initiatives, including the creation of SafePlace, a 24/7 emergency intake center, set a new standard for how communities can respond when a child’s world is turned upside down. Over the years, Joan has been a consistent presence in this mission, helping translate that vision into practical support for families and real hope for children.
Across southern Florida, the nonprofit has served tens of thousands of kids and adults through foster care, emergency placements, independent living programs, support for young moms and babies, and EPIC Therapy, an innovative therapeutic approach for children who have experienced trauma. In a recent year, the organization reported impacting more than 62,000 lives across all programs.
Joan has championed foster families and served as a guide for those stepping into this calling for the first time. Her work in training and supporting foster parents is a critical bridge between a child’s immediate crisis and the long-term stability and love that can change the trajectory of their life.
Last year’s Community Hero, Layla Crehan, was selected from more than 460 nominations, underscoring how this recognition continues to highlight extraordinary local changemakers whose efforts ripple across our region.
Through the Community Hero Award, Tropical Financial and the Florida Panthers shine a light on individuals who rarely seek recognition but whose impact is felt across our region. The honoree receives a cash award, along with an additional donation to the charity of their choice.
The 2026 Community Hero was honored during the Panthers’ home game against the Detroit Red Wings, where Joan’s story of quiet courage and tireless service was celebrated in front of thousands of fan.
Learn more about Joan’s impact and why she was selected as this year’s Community Hero.