What a difference a day makes.
None of the work that we do would be possible without generous supporters like YOU. Please consider making a one-time gift or join our monthly giving Heroes Society.
What a difference a day makes. Jack came to Ready for Life feeling very low, and very lost. He was homeless and hungry after spending most of the past three weeks sleeping literally everywhere, indoors and out, after losing both his job and his apartment. He had no money and was running short on hope.
Another foster youth had told him about Ready for Life, and our unmatched ability to help teens in crisis.
During his RFL intake interview, he talked with a youth specialist and together they put together an action plan to help Jack meet his goals. His plan included:
A hot shower in the Rays Clean Sweep Day Stop shower & laundry facilities at our Skill Center
A hot meal from the heat-and-eat freezer, provided BayCare/Feeding Tampa Bay
Hygiene items from the Santa’s Angels' Good Day Store (part of our Emergency Needs Pantry)
A safe place to sleep: RFL helped him get placement at a shelter
A transportation solution: Jack received a PSTA buss pass, as RFL is a UPASS provider supported by First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, which allows us to print a photo ID badge that lets our clients ride PSTA busses anywhere in Pinellas County, for free! This is a $10,000 annual program, and allows those we serve to reliably get themselves (and their kids) to work, school and day care, too!
An interview with one of RFL’s supportive companies, part of a massive employer network that provides critical job opportunities for those we serve.
Proper interview attire from Beth’s Corner (courtesy of the Beth Dillinger Foundation)
Jack received a major confidence boost after acquiring the interview attire. He also received coaching for the job interview by staff as well as the Mental Health Counselor provided through a grant co-written with the Public Defender’s Office.
Jack aced the interview and landed the JOB! Our team dropped everything when Jack hauled himself through our door that morning, and by 4:00 that same afternoon he had a place to sleep, a full belly, new clothes, transportation, and new income. He had discovered the all-hands-on-deck Ready for Life Family.
None of the work that we do would be possible without generous supporters like YOU. Please consider making a one-time gift or join our monthly giving Heroes Society.