INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Through Camp Haven’s transitional shelter-program, area homeless and at-risk men learn important life skills, including how to attain a job, keep it and manage their personal finances to achieve a life of self-sufficiency and break the cycle of homelessness.
Taking these lessons to heart, six of the current participants have gone above and beyond by adding college to their list of goals to achieve – to maximize their individual skill sets and secure long-term positions in their respective field of work. These men managed to study for the P.E.R.T. (Postsecondary Education Readiness Test for entry-level college credit coursework), pass it and get accepted to IRSC (Indian River State College) – all while working.
One participant, whose goal is to become an electrical engineer, recently expressed his love of math while trying to explain to a Camp Haven staff member the importance of the mathematical functions, “Sine,” and “Cosine” and how they are applicable to engineering. “I’m fascinated by it all,” he said. “Math just makes sense to me.”
“It is truly exciting for the board and myself to see these men, who were once lost and without hope, transform themselves and their outlook on life to achieve a better one,” said Board President, Lalita Janke.
To learn more about Camp Haven’s transitional shelter-program for the area homeless and at-risk, please visit www.camphaven.net or call (772) 999-3625.