Jeff spent his entire life living in private and group foster homes. When he was 19, he was living with a foster parent, but due to some difficulties in the household, he moved out. Thanks to advocates from Best Foot Forward, an organization providing academic support and guidance for local foster youth, Jeff was referred to HomeSafe’s newly constructed Pond Place Independent Living Program. He would be the first resident.
Pond Place provides safe, affordable housing for young adults who have aged out of foster care and are continuing their education beyond high school. In addition to safe housing, Pond Place residents are afforded wraparound services including academic and therapeutic support and life skills training. Residents are also encouraged to hone their interpersonal skills and develop healthy relationships with peers and mentors.
For three years, Jeff thrived at Pond Place, attending Palm Beach State College and working various jobs. He was introduced to longtime HomeSafe board member and benefactor, Steve Bernstein. The two men quickly bonded. Steve, an accomplished entrepreneur, began mentoring Jeff and encouraging his personal interests and professional pursuits.
While Jeff appreciated the housing and services Pond Place offered, he grew tired of following the community rules and attending meetings with other residents. He wanted to live life his own way and, in 2019, Jeff left the program.
After a few months of being on his own, Jeff realized just how much he benefitted from the supportive community at Pond Place and asked to return to the program. Steve continued to believe in Jeff’s potential and encouraged him to fully commit to the program this time around.
“Pond Place gave me the opportunity to move forward and to focus on my education,“ said Jeff. “This program has been a big help to me.”
Now in the right frame of mind, Jeff began working closely with Pond Place Program Supervisor Kehan Rahming to create a plan to meet his personal and academic goals. His hard work paid off when, just this summer, Jeff earned his HVAC certification and secured an excellent job with a local air conditioning company. Having completed his education and recently turning 23, Jeff relocated from Pond Place into a private residence. Best Foot Forward recently hosted a surprise graduation party for Jeff at HomeSafe’s Lake Worth Campus.
Many people from Jeff’s support system were there, including a surprise FaceTime call from his longtime mentor and friend, Steve Bernstein. “Pond Place gave me the opportunity to move forward and to focus on my education,“ said Jeff. “This program has been a big help to me.”
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