FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Shaelina Holmes | Director of Development & Marketing | shaelina@harvesthousecenters.com
McCune Family Foundation Supports Youth at Harvest House
The McCune Family Foundation awarded Harvest House a $50,000 grant to support Harvest House’s many services for youth. The Sarasota-Manatee local nonprofit is one of the largest human services providers in the region serving 1000 clients annually through supportive housing, affordable housing, and addiction recovery services. Although these are difficult times for all of us, COVID-19 has been especially challenging for the youth at Harvest House.
“Typically, we get every child in our residences into a summer activity of their choice. This year, we had to find different ways to invest in them, especially because of the additional financial hardships their families are experiencing right now,” said Cheryl Clunk, Director of Family & Youth Services. “On top of waiving rent and fees for services as needed, we’re offering other basic needs including home-based enrichment activities for children that they otherwise may not have access to.”
Harvest House’s mission to revitalize neighborhoods and transform lives is evident in the work they do year after year. 40% of Harvest House clients are youth and young adults, ages 0-24. Many of the young adults are parents themselves, have aged out of foster care, or are receiving residential addiction recovery treatment.
“We’re combatting generational poverty and trauma every day, and one effective way to tackle these issues is to do the best we can to prevent these cycles. We often see multiple generations come through our programs, and many times, individuals will go through multiple programs before achieving stability. We know that if we can plant good seeds with the children, there will be lots to harvest later in life,” said Executive Director Erin Minor.
“We are always looking for ways to restore feelings of worth and dignity. Sometimes, it shows up in the Family Haven Emergency Shelter when it’s the first time a child has had a bed of their own. We hope the young people we serve will carry the knowledge of their worth for the rest of their lives,” Minor said.
Recent projects include the YOUth Drop-In Center for young adults and the launch of New Heights, a housing program just for young adults offered on the Lee Wetherington Family Village campus. Harvest House is planning to also install two more playgrounds later this year.
