At its annual Diamonds in the Rough Celebration at the Bent Pine Golf Club, supporters of Camp Haven celebrated the men who have been able to change the trajectory of their lives thanks to hard work and the philanthropy of local donors and foundations.
Camp Haven is the only transitional residence for situationally homeless men in Indian River County. The programs and services of the nonprofit have enabled 253 men to rebuild their lives while maintaining sobriety and receiving mental health and medical care, along with job and financial counseling.
The men are given food, shelter and stability as they reconnect with their families, regaining their self-worth, and becoming contributing members of society.
In a brief video, several Camp Haven residents spoke of their past lives, and how the support they received helped them make lasting changes for the better.
Chuck Bradley, executive director, said most people are unaware that one of the most critical aspects of their work is helping the men resolve underlying psychological issues.
“Absent that, you might as well throw the program out, because they’re not going to learn anything. Once we’ve dealt with that, we continue counseling and therapy. Then it’s much easier for them to absorb and take in the other programs we teach,” said Bradley.
“In the homeless population, mental health is a huge issue that needs to be addressed to stabilize their life,” added Jermey Gable, assistant director.
Daniel Bradley [no relation] was once a first responder in Connecticut before his life spiraled out of control after assisting with the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School slaughter of 26 lives. He struggled with PTSD, mental health issues, and drug and alcohol addiction, and became homeless and estranged from his family before finding Camp Haven.
“I have seen hundreds of therapists over the years, and nothing ever stuck,” he said.
However, he said Shotsi Lajoie, a mental health counselor at Camp Haven, managed to make a connection. He has since graduated from the program, purchased a home, and reunited with his family.
Explaining that their annual Diamond Award is given “for superior effort above and beyond the call of duty for extended periods,” Gordon Stewart, board president, recognized Linda Teetz, event co-chair with Brenda Bradley, for her tireless dedication to Camp Haven.
Teetz also gives freely of herself to other charities, including the Riverside Theatre Friends Committee, Indian River County Lincoln Day Dinner, Hibiscus Children’s Center, and the Republican Women of Indian River County.
“This is a labor of love,” said Teetz. “The true diamonds for this award are all the men.”
Stewart said last year’s fundraising efforts enabled them to expand mental health counseling to program graduates and assist them with first and last month rent expenses and furniture.
The issue at hand, though, is the current housing shortage, which is preventing the program graduates from finding homes.
“We have five residents ready to move out but no place to go,” said Stewart. He said someone earning $16.50 an hour could afford $845 a month rent, including other expenses.
“That’s great, except there are no apartments in Vero Beach for $845.”
To mitigate the issue, Camp Haven has plans to build four to six efficiency apartments for graduates. Stewart estimated the cost of the property and construction to be about $375,000.
Looking to the future, Stewart said that if recent rumors of the City of Vero Beach extending Aviation Boulevard across Camp Haven’s property come to pass, the state would make reparations, and Camp Haven would have ample time to purchase land and build a new facility.
Auctioneer Wesley Davis rallied the crowd with his go big or go home mentality, saying, “I never got a kiss without asking,” before raising more than $100,000 with the Call to the Heart.
For more information, visit CampHaven.net.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
