FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Shaelina Holmes, Director of Development & Marketing, shaelina@harvesthousecenters.com
McCune Family Foundation Supports Services for Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness
August 25, 2021, SARASOTA, FL – Harvest House was recently awarded $50,000 by The McCune Family Foundation to support outreach, case management, and housing services for houseless and at-risk youth.
In 2020, Harvest House served 118 young adults ages 18-24 with supportive housing services. Some aged out of foster care, some were young parents, and some were struggling with an addiction, but all were unaccompanied by a parent or caregiver for a variety of reasons.
Young Adult Services at Harvest House includes outreach, a drop-in center, and transitional and permanent supportive housing all offered at no cost and designed exclusively for this age group. Youth are also served in family housing and addiction recovery housing.
“When they come into the Drop-In Center for the first time, they’re always amazed at how comfortable it is in here. It’s a fun, clean, welcoming environment that doesn’t exist anywhere else in their lives. There’s always someone to talk to here, there’s always something to eat, and there’s always something to learn,” said Jewel Rizzo, Outreach Young Adult Liaison.
Harvest House’s Youth Drop-In Center is North Sarasota’s first and only safe space for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24. Youth can take a shower, do laundry, charge electronics, have a snack, grab a snack or meal, meet other youth, attend support groups or just relax and hang out. Last year, despite decreased activities due to the pandemic, Harvest House saw 350 check-ins at the drop-in center. As of August 26, 2021, Harvest House has seen 250 check-ins so far.
“The idea is to build a rapport with clients in a welcoming, friendly space. This helps to open the door for our staff to dive deeper with the client, and help them meet their housing, education, career, and life goals, despite not having the same resources as many of their peers,” said Erin Minor, CEO.
The supportive housing services for youth at Harvest House are supported by this grant from the McCune Family Foundation. Other funders of this initiative include Sarasota County Government, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, and our many generous donors.
