I’m deeply grateful to Jersey Shore for sharing my story and highlighting the urgent need for safe spaces for runaway and homeless youth in Ocean and Monmouth counties.
More than two decades ago, I was a young person in crisis who found safety, support, and hope through a trusted teacher and the life-saving services of Ocean’s Harbor House. That experience didn’t just change my life—it shaped my purpose.
Today, as the founder of Choose Love. Celebrate Life. (CLCL) Foundation, I’m honored to bring that same lifeline back to our local communities. With the support of a federal Basic Center Program grant, we are preparing to open an emergency youth shelter that will provide trauma-informed care, stability, and protection for youth under 18 who have nowhere else to turn.
This work is personal, but it’s also about community. Safe havens save lives. Awareness saves lives. Conversations like this one help ensure that youth in crisis are seen, supported, and protected.
Thank you to Jersey Shore Online for telling this story with care and for helping amplify the importance of youth advocacy and prevention.
📰 Read the full feature here:
👉 https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/featured/runaway-youth-may-find-new-home-in-ocean-county-oc/