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If a troubled teenager comes from a broken home, the number of options for him may largely depend on where he lives. At present, Lakeland, Florida is working on providing these teens with another option and a place to go.
At present, founders have been in the process of raising funds for the launching of the Phoenix Hope House. Its goal is to become a home for boys that have experienced programs or treatment for their troublesome behaviors and need a stable environment to return to. The Phoenix Hope House wants to become that “home away from home” for these boys. Eric Holm, Residential Director for Phoenix Hope House said, "We want to be that family that many times, many have not experienced."
A seventeen-year-old named Jonathan is excited to move into the Hope House because at present he is actually staying with 11 others in a tiny house. Jonathan has attended Polk County’s boot camp and several other programs. When asked to describe his experience he remarked, “People fighting all the time, just doing nothing with their lives.”
It will be the teenagers themselves who will make the decision to live at the Phoenix Hope House, and when they will leave it as well. Of course it won’t just be the boys at the House, a house helper as well as a house mom and dad will be there to guide them and join them to eat and have fun, until they are set to be on their own.
The teens, themselves, will be able to get their own jobs, pay rent, and go to church services if they choose. Erica Allen, one of the co-founders of Phoenix Hope House said,"The core of what we believe is that spirituality and faith is very important, and we want to enhance that in the youth we serve." Erica Allen has actually come across a home in Bartow which has the right space for the Hope House, but before she can have her hands on it she needs to be able to raise almost half a million dollars to purchase it. A large fundraiser dinner will be held in Tigertown in Lakeland in order to help out, and soon after Phoenix Hope House will hold an Extreme Sports Day for Kids also at that location. For the teenagers, let’s hope that they can earn as much as they need in order to provide these teens with another option. |
