VERO BEACH – It’s coming down to the finish line for Children’s Home Society’s (CHS) Youth Transition Center Capital Campaign to meet The Kresge Foundation’s Challenge. CHS launched their $5 million capital campaign over two years ago to raise funds to build the Youth Transition Center in Vero Beach for youth who age out of the foster care system. The prestigious Kresge Foundation awarded CHS a $500,000 Challenge Grant – if they raised $4.5 million by June 30, 2010.
As of today, CHS has raised $4,470,000, leaving them $30,000 to raise within the next 13 days to secure the Kresge grant. This includes the recent donation of the proceeds of more than $145,000 from a house auction in the Oak Harbor neighborhood. “We are so thankful to all of the donors and supporters that made the Youth Transition Center a reality,” says Marta Schneider, Co-Chair of the Youth Transition Center (YTC) Capital Campaign and Chair of the Indian River County CHS Board of Directors. “At this point, we are so close to being awarded the Kresge grant, we will press on to raise the balance, as well as the funds needed to build an endowment. We are confident that the Treasure Coast communities will continue to show their gracious support of the center and the young adults it will benefit.”
“In this year alone, approximately 800 foster children in the State of Florida will become “too old” for foster care; with over 50 on the Treasure Coast losing almost all state benefits on their eighteenth birthday,” says Jan Huffert, Executive Director of CHS Treasure Coast Division. “The Treasure Coast Division of CHS is among the first CHS divisions in the State to provide youth aging out of foster care with a transitional living program that includes affordable housing and critical support services. The YTC campaign is important to so many — the State, the Treasure Coast community, but most of all, the youth.”
The Youth Transition Center in Vero Beach officially opened its doors January 17, 2010, and currently houses eight young adults. The Youth Transition Center facility and staff provide these young adults, ages 18-23, with stable housing, continuing education, assistance with securing employment, and therapeutic support. The Center accommodates 10 youth in eight independent living apartments and has the capacity to serve over 50 youth in its outreach program.
Youth Transition Center sponsorships remaining include a range of opportunities from naming a garden bench for $5,000 to naming the entire Youth Transition Center for $750,000. Additionally, naming opportunities are available for the apartments, the operations center and the supply center. As CHS enters the homestretch of the campaign, every dollar counts and all donations are appreciated.
To support the final phase of The Youth Transition Center Capital Campaign and help CHS meet the Kresge Challenge deadline and maintain ongoing operations, please visit www.YouthTransitionCenterTC.com or call Jan Huffert at 772-344-4020.