VERO BEACH — Hibiscus Children’s Center is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a $10,000 grant awarded by Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program in Vero Beach. This generous donation will help fund the Hibiscus Children’s Center Career Pathways to Independence Program.
This program helps alleviate some of the stresses the youth face as they approach 18-years-old and helps set the stage for lifelong success. It provides foster youth ages 13 to 17 at the Hibiscus Children’s Village with the support, structure, and guidance they need to receive a high school diploma or GED. Additionally, foster youth ages 15 to 17 participate in career exploration, testing and assessments related to career interests, self-esteem, and work related personality and pre-employment training. The youth also participate in multiple internships in local businesses, mentoring, and weekly structured focus groups, seminars on topics including completing college applications and job applications, resume writing, creating a budget, and assistance transitioning into independent living.
Grand Harbor Community Outreach’s mission is to transform lives, strengthen families and improve the community. According to Doug Sweeny, VP of Philanthropy, “We are very supportive of Hibiscus and especially the Career Pathways Program because it builds skills and confidence that lead to self-sufficiency and success.”
This year Community Outreach, an all-volunteer non-profit with no overhead, has distributed $345,000 to some 30 local charities and nearly $3 million since its inception in 2001. For more information, visit www.GHCOP.org.
The Career Pathways Program provides additional services, such as the opportunity for youth to go on a college tour each year. Some of the schools that the teens will visit include Florida Atlantic University, Eastern Florida State College, Florida International University, University of Florida, Santa Fe College, and University of South Florida. The Career Pathways program curtails the vicious cycle of poverty, hopelessness, abuse and neglect as children develop and acquire skills and the confidence to make informed and positive decisions about their future.
Michael Waninger, Hibiscus Children’s Center CEO, said “Thank you on behalf of the teens who are benefiting from the generosity and support of the Grand Harbor residents and the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program. The Career Pathways Program provides these youth with opportunities to prepare for a stronger future and to learn the skills they can take with them into adulthood and into their careers. We are so appreciative of Grand Harbor Community Outreach for helping our teens build a brighter future.”
For more information about Hibiscus, please visit HibiscusChildrensCenter.org.