The Faine House,
A Project of H.O.P.E.
In April 2009, Children's Home Society of Florida and Jeff Faine, Center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, came together for a common goal: to create a place for Central Florida's young adults aging out of foster care to call home. The Faine House, A Project of H.O.P.E. (Home of Positive Encouragement) was conceptualized as a safe haven for these youth. Each year in Florida, there are approximately 280 young adults exiting foster care on their 18th birthdays who are at risk of homelessness. Through no fault of their own, youth aging out of the foster care system become homeless at disconcerting rates. As many as 36% of young people transitioning out of the system experience homelessness at some time; 25 percent become homeless during the first year. [1]
In keeping with the our mission of Embracing Children. Inspiring Lives., we strive to break the generational cycle of abuse and neglect for increasing numbers of children. Founded in 1902 to meet the needs of orphaned children, CHS has evolved to provide a continuum of care to strengthen families so more children are safe, healthy and prepared for life.
The overarching goal of The Faine House is to prevent or ameliorate homelessness amongst former foster youth by providing short-term housing and enabling these young adults to participate in available services needed to prepare for independence. The Faine House will link youth with existing programs for case management, employment skills training, mentoring, education, and health — all essential elements to ensure long-term success and life satisfaction.
Integrating cultural, cognitive, emotional and social factors, The Faine House will encourage youth to create a positive sense of self and a sense that s/he is valued by others. With help from an adviser, youth will develop a “life plan” focused on skill and asset development in four main areas: housing, education, employment and transportation to help ensure success when they complete the program. Additionally, advisers will teach life skills such as budgeting and interviewing.
Education and employment will be a focus in the home. Resident Advisers will help youth identify goals and steps to achieve those goals through education. Whether a youth wants to earn a four-year degree or a certificate in a trade, the priority is developing skills to obtain employment with a livable wage. The Faine House will also help youth create community connections with local business owners who will take a vested interest in mentoring and teaching the youth skills necessary for success in the workplace.
A project such as this accomplishes many things: it provides for the immediate needs for a group of young adults who want better lives and teaches them the skills necessary to live, and to work and be productive residents in their community. Most importantly, though, this opportunity gives them the skills necessary to be better parents to the children they may one day have, and that helps to break the cycle of abuse for increasing numbers of children.
[1] National Coalition for the Homeless, 1998, Cook, 1991, Child Welfare League of America, 2007