MEDIA CONTACT:
Slatkow & Husak Public Relations
Lauren Eissey
Homesafe@SlatkowHusak.com or 561-278-0850 x4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 1, 2022
HOMESAFE ANNOUNCES $15 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN AS NONPROFIT SETS A NEW BAR FOR WHAT GROUP CARE FOR TRAUMATIZED CHILDREN SHOULD LOOK LIKE
Leadership unveils expansion renderings for Boca Raton campus and formally announces campaign
(Boca Raton, Fla.) – When leadership saw the positive impact the newly opened Sylvester Family Foundation West campus had for the girls in HomeSafe’s care there, they knew it was imperative that they transform all of their other campuses in a similar way. Today, as they welcomed supporters to the nonprofit’s Bernstein Family Foundation Campus, they unveiled exciting new plans for an expansion, along with a $15 million capital campaign.
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 14,000 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.
Renderings and floorplans revealed that the Boca Grand Cottage will offer private bedrooms and bathrooms, open living spaces, a kitchen, laundry room and therapeutic spaces for the 12 children being treated at the time. Renovations also revealed the remodel of the existing Enrichment Center, which will offer a fitness center, multimedia room, community room and music room.
“Creating these spaces for our kids to heal is so important because we are the last hope for many of them,” said Monique Barnett, Program Supervisor for HomeSafe’s new Sylvester Family Foundation West Campus. “They arrive scared and angry, and many of them leave with a sense of peace and confidence about their future. Some of the children that come to HomeSafe have worried about where they would get their next meal. Many have never had their own bedroom or bathroom, and all have lived in a terrifying situation where they experienced unimaginable trauma. When they first come to the new campus, the girls are most excited to have their own room that they can decorate and keep up. Having their own bedroom and bathroom also creates a safer environment with less conflict. And finally, they have their own quiet refuge and a space to be alone and sit quietly when they need it.”
Other speakers for this landmark event included the late Harcourt Sylvester’s daughter, Jayne Malfitano, and Steve Bernstein. Both shared an overview of the tremendous impact HomeSafe has made in recent years and their excitement in formally announcing the $15 million Healing the Hurt Campaign. Funds raised will continue to build four new campuses from West Palm to Boca, and to build up the nonprofit’s endowment. They mentioned that several supporters had stepped up to support the campaign in its quiet phase including the Bernstein Family Foundation, Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Family Foundation, Stoops Family Foundation, G. Robert Sheetz and Deborah Lindstrom, Leslie L. Alexander Foundation, Mary Alice Fortin Foundation, Beverly and Joel Altman. Funds raised to date total more than $9.5 million.
Jayne Malfitano also reflected on the agency’s roots with the Junior League of Boca Raton, which helped open the original 12-bed shelter called Children’s Place South for abused children, now known as the Bernstein Family Foundation Campus.
“This morning’s event was truly a homecoming for all of our donors,” said Matt Ladika, HomeSafe CEO. “Throughout the years, we’ve been connected to some of the most passionate supporters who have ardently stuck by our mission. We are so grateful for the generosity of long-time and new supporters and eager to see how this new space at The Bernstein Family Foundation campus will change the life course of survivors.”
For more information on the expansion or to donate to HomeSafe’s capital campaign “Healing the Hurt,” please contact Laura Barker, Director of Philanthropy at 561-383-9829.
Do you want to help change a life today?
