The Voice of Constance Collins

In the wake of September’s ribbon cutting for the Children’s Village, I sit down with its visionary founder, Constance Collins, who also founded Lotus House nearly two decades ago. What began as a single building in Overtown has grown into Lotus Village—the nation’s largest women’s shelter—and that now includes the newly opened Children’s Village, a separate but neighboring facility designed to support children and families with comprehensive care. Constance shares the deeply personal story of how one encounter with a woman experiencing homelessness changed the course of her life, moving her from a career in real estate to full-time advocacy. Together, we reflect on what it means to see the Children’s Village doors finally open, the community partnerships that made it possible, and the hope it brings to children and families across Miami. From hydroponic gardens to wraparound therapeutic services, Constance paints a powerful picture of how investing in families can break cycles of poverty and create spaces where dreams take root.