MEDIA CONTACT
Slatkow & Husak Public Relations
Lauren Eissey
Homesafe@SlatkowHusak.com or 561-278-0850 x4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOMESAFE ANNOUNCES $1 MILLION GIFT AT SYLVESTER FAMILY FOUNDATION NORTH CAMPUS AND STOOPS FAMILY FOUNDATION GRAND COTTAGE RIBBON CUTTING
The ceremony preceded the Leaders in Philanthropy Luncheon for HomeSafe’s top donors
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) – On Tuesday, November 1, 2022, HomeSafe put more hope behind its name after announcing an anonymous $1 million gift and cutting the ribbon to its Sylvester Family Foundation North campus and Stoops Family Foundation Grand Cottage. The ribbon-cutting opens a 12,867 square-foot home located at 5130 47th Place North, West Palm Beach and will house 12 suites where each child will have their own private room and bathroom. It also contains a large kitchen, living and dining areas, therapy wing and gaming area to create a warm, inviting home environment for 12 male foster youth who will move from the current Haverhill location.
HomeSafe is a nationally accredited nonprofit protecting Palm Beach County’s and South Florida’s most vulnerable residents – victims of child abuse and domestic violence. Through its results-driven approach, the organization is the leading provider of prevention and intervention services, serving more than 15,000 infants, children, young adults and families each year. HomeSafe is one of just five specialized residential therapy homes in the state of Florida—the only one in Southeast Florida—and currently cares for 50 percent of all of the children these organizations serve.
Laura Barker, Chief Philanthropy Officer for HomeSafe, shared one young man’s HomeSafe story. Tyrael is a living testimony as to how HomeSafe is changing the lives of children who are often overlooked. Tyrael came to HomeSafe angry, guarded and afraid after entering the foster care system at just 11 years old. For the next four years, he was shuttled through a series of group homes before arriving at HomeSafe.
“Tyrael’s anger reached the surface, and he began picking fights, skipping class and failing at school,” said Laura Barker, Chief Philanthropy Officer for HomeSafe. “Despite it being hard for him to adapt to the new environment, he experienced love and care from HomeSafe. Our team helped him work through his trauma and make him feel comfortable. He is now 31 years old and successfully working in corrections.”
Moving remarks were also given by significant faces tied to the mission – from key donors to resident testimonials. Afterwards, HomeSafe proceeded to thank its Guardian Society donors for investing in the children and families in their care. Those recognized included the Stoops Family Foundation, Steven E. Bernstein Family Foundation, Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Family Foundation, Bob Sheetz and Debbie Lindstrom, and Ken and Maggie Rosenberg.
“Our family is fortunate to be able to give back to the community,” said Jeff Stoops, long-standing HomeSafe supporter and namesake of the Grand Cottage. “As we consider where to make an investment, we look for organizations that do great and necessary work, that make a difference, and where our gift can make a real impact. That makes philanthropy much more satisfying.”
The ribbon cutting is a significant milestone to HomeSafe’s $15 million Healing the Hurt campaign, which will continue work on four new campuses from West Palm to Boca Raton. To date, the campaign has raised nearly $11.5 million.
To donate or learn more, please visit helphomesafe.org.
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