Choose love. Celebrate life.
These were the mantras of Andrea C. Viggiano, a Toms River-based public-school teacher who supported one of our founding board members.
Tiffany deSousa met Andrea in her sophomore year of high school at Toms River High School South.
Andrea was her journalism teacher and advisor in two of her extra-curricular activities.
When Tiffany ran away on a cold December night, it was Andrea who referred her to a local resource for help.
Because everyone needs A Foundation to stand on, especially struggling Youth and vulnerable Families.
Tiffany was fortunate that after a few weeks at the Emergency Youth Shelter, Andrea was able to secure guardianship just days before Christmas holiday.
Tiffany credits this intervention for saving her life and altering her future outcomes, including her future employment at the same shelter that helped her.
Upon learning of the previous shelter’s closure, Tiffany sprang into action. In December, she was joined by 4 other previous Residential Counselors and 1 long-time volunteer from the previous program.
Together, these professionals seek to restore access to emergency shelter and safe havens for youth, plus expand preventative services for all in Ocean and Monmouth County.