A Big Why
We dWe first met Tyrome five years ago outside of our coffee shop. Now 31, he has lived on the streets since he was 16 years old.
Tyrome worked beside us at our coffee bar for more 1 1/2 years. He shared with us, "After my grandmother died, I went to live with my uncle and it wasn't safe because of the violence, abuse and drugs - it felt safer on the streets so one day I left and never went back to that place - never."
He had an amazing work ethic but he lacked problem solving skills for a sustainable independent life off the streets. His had on goal, survive the day.. His story is too familiar to us. We often helped homeless young women and men outside our cafe doors. Trageically, many were sexually exploited or many would die within 6- 12 months from overdose, suicide or murder. We didn't understand why they would stay living on the streets but was we became aware of the growing youth crisit, we knew we had to take a preventive approach to this grwoing epidemic of Youth Crisis of homelessness and addiciton. Bud & Bloom Co. was formed to aid in this issue to serve our youth who are at-risk youth by creating pathways for healthy sustainable living.
Tyrome worked beside us at our coffee bar for more 1 1/2 years. He shared with us, "After my grandmother died, I went to live with my uncle and it wasn't safe because of the violence, abuse and drugs - it felt safer on the streets so one day I left and never went back to that place - never."
He had an amazing work ethic but he lacked problem solving skills for a sustainable independent life off the streets. His had on goal, survive the day.. His story is too familiar to us. We often helped homeless young women and men outside our cafe doors. Trageically, many were sexually exploited or many would die within 6- 12 months from overdose, suicide or murder. We didn't understand why they would stay living on the streets but was we became aware of the growing youth crisit, we knew we had to take a preventive approach to this grwoing epidemic of Youth Crisis of homelessness and addiciton. Bud & Bloom Co. was formed to aid in this issue to serve our youth who are at-risk youth by creating pathways for healthy sustainable living.
The Crisis
Florida is facing an unprecedented youth crisis. A growing number of urban youth between ages of 14 -18 leave home because parents can not provide for them or due to emotional or physical neglect. They often become a "number" in the foster care system waiting to age out with incomplete education, little work-place readiness, work-based job skills or life-applicable problem solving skills.
Tragically, more than 23,000 youth between the ages of 18 and 21 "age out” or emancipate out of foster care every year. Twenty six percent of these young adults will experience homelessness within the first year of aging out, with a high risk of becoming a victim of sex-trafficking or opioid overdose – a disastrous epidemic.
Tragically, more than 23,000 youth between the ages of 18 and 21 "age out” or emancipate out of foster care every year. Twenty six percent of these young adults will experience homelessness within the first year of aging out, with a high risk of becoming a victim of sex-trafficking or opioid overdose – a disastrous epidemic.
Vision
Bud & Bloom' s vision is to dramatically reduce youth homelessness by imparting value, cultivating leaders, and equipping them today to impact their tomorrow; so that they can dream again and who want to become responsible young adults who have a desire to become active citizens and help foster healthy community.
Mission
Offer solutions that equip urban youth by imparting value and cultivate leaders by providing job training, soft skills, educational assistance and professional services such as trauma therapy so they become self-advocated, empowered with confidence to navigate a successful path to a independent adulthood.
Pathways
Education & Career Exploration |
|
Internship & Job Placement |
Wholeness
|
WIthout your generous donations, none of this would be possible. Thank you for impacting a young person's life.
