Maria celebrating Valentine’s Day with her Project ReachOut family
When Maria dropped in on a support group at her mobile home community in 2021, she was depressed and despondent. She had recently lost her 30-year-old son to COVID-19 and was behind in rent due to being laid off. Facing eviction and feeling isolated, she turned to a group of neighbors who she hoped could understand her struggles.
The pandemic created new stressors for communities already on the edge. The Casa Del Monte mobile home park in West Palm Beach sees high rates of crime, family violence, financial stress, and health challenges. The women who live there often subsist on low-wage income, have little education, and face language barriers. COVID-19 added on the stress of debilitating illness, lost jobs, and managing remote learning.
In order to help these families improve their mental and physical well-being, HomeSafe developed a community-based program called Project ReachOut. It offers parent support groups in order to address anxieties, stressors and depression—with the goal to prevent child abuse, neglect or domestic violence before it starts.
Over the past year, 47 women have completed the twelve-session program. These meetings offer multiple perspectives, support, encouragement and feedback from their peers in a welcoming, emotionally safe and confidential environment. Over the past year, HomeSafe has seen a 95% reduction in clients’ depression, anxiety and stress.
Understanding that external challenges must also be addressed, program facilitator Patti Vega brings in resources to help tackle financial, legal, and health issues. Presenters have covered topics, including nutrition, self-care, drowning prevention, safe sleep, legal resources, and pre-school education. The crowd favorite was an introductory jiu-jitsu lesson which left the women feeling empowered and with a basic knowledge of self-defense.
Project ReachOut has helped Casa Del Monte residents form a special bond and rely on each other for support, encouragement and access to critical resources.
After a year with Project ReachOut, Maria is more open, more hopeful, and happier. The support group has given her a safe environment and deep connection. She and her neighbors are reassured by this renewed sense of community and know that together they will navigate these challenging times and come out stronger.
Thanks to a recent grant from the Quantum Foundation, HomeSafe will soon begin our second year of Project ReachOut. Their investment will enable us to expand the program to include two additional high-risk mobile home communities in Palm Beach County, supporting more families and giving them greater resiliency and hope for their future.
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