Our Why
We 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 than 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 living a sustainable healthy life. His had one goal, survive the day.. His story is too familiar to us. We often helped homeless young women and men outside our cafe doors. Tragically, many were sexually exploited or would die within 6-12 months from overdose, suicide or murder. We became more aware of the growing youth crisis and needed to find prevention methods to address the growing Youth Crisis of homelessness and addiciton. Bud & Bloom was formed to aid in this issue by providing pathways for creating healthy independent living.
He had an amazing work ethic but he lacked problem solving skills for living a sustainable healthy life. His had one goal, survive the day.. His story is too familiar to us. We often helped homeless young women and men outside our cafe doors. Tragically, many were sexually exploited or would die within 6-12 months from overdose, suicide or murder. We became more aware of the growing youth crisis and needed to find prevention methods to address the growing Youth Crisis of homelessness and addiciton. Bud & Bloom was formed to aid in this issue by providing pathways for creating healthy independent 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 & Mission
To advocate for today’s high-risk youth by providing five pathway solutions that imparts value, cultivates leadership and equips them for their future so they can become responsible young adults who have a desire to become active citizens and help foster healthy community.
Without your generous donations, none of this would be possible.
Thank you for impacting a young person's life.
Thank you for impacting a young person's life.
