(Lake Worth, Fla.) – HomeSafe CEO Matthew Ladika proudly announced a significant and transformative $5 million gift to the nonprofit organization whose mission is to help South Florida’s most vulnerable residents – victims of child abuse and domestic violence. On October 28, a gathering of HomeSafe supporters attended a dedication of the Stoops Family Foundation Residential Cottage at HomeSafe’s newest campus in West Palm Beach. HomeSafe’s Vice President of the Board of Directors, Aggie Stoops, and her husband Jeff, residents of Delray Beach, were thanked for their incredible generosity.
“Through our results-driven approach, HomeSafe is the leading provider of prevention and intervention services, serving more than 14,000 infants, children, young adults and families each year,” said Ladika. “We are just one of five specialized residential therapy homes in the state of Florida—the only one in Southeast Florida—and we currently care for more than half of all of the children these organizations serve. With the Stoops’ generous $5 million gift, HomeSafe can continue to grow, enhance our programs and facilities, and evolve to meet the changing needs of these children.”
Aggie Stoops received a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Florida State University and continued her education at the institution receiving her Master’s in Social Work, with an emphasis in child welfare. Before she left the workforce to raise her four children, she was employed by Florida Baptist Children’s Home, the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Organization and the Palm Beach Habilitation Center. Mrs. Stoops is the Chairman of the Board of the Stoops Family Foundation, a private foundation focused on medical, social services and educational causes. In addition to HomeSafe’s Board, she also serves on the Florida State University Foundation Board of Trustees.
“My time as a social worker, counseling traumatized children with developmental disabilities, was an important part of my life,” said Aggie Stoops. “Because of these experiences, I was immediately drawn to the HomeSafe mission. These children come from some of the toughest, most heart-breaking circumstances imaginable, and are typically well beyond the capabilities of the traditional foster care system. HomeSafe is changing lives and we are excited to be a part of its continued success, helping vulnerable children and families who have experienced abuse and neglect.”
Jeff Stoops received his Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor degrees from Florida State University. He has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of SBA Communications Corporation since 2002. Based in Boca Raton, Fla., SBA owns and operates almost 34,000 wireless communications sites in 15 countries across the globe, employing over 1,500 people. SBA is a member of the S&P 500 and one of Florida’s largest public companies by market capitalization. The company trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol “SBAC.” Mr. Stoops currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Healthcare Charity, Inc. (the Honda Classic), Seminole Boosters, Inc. and the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
“HomeSafe has a village of caring, highly trained professionals providing a safe, nurturing home to children that are struggling with severe mental and emotional challenges caused by the trauma that they have endured, through no fault of their own,” said Jeff Stoops. “HomeSafe typically is the last hope for these children before they are moved to a lockdown facility. We know our gift will help these children heal, cultivate a positive self-image, and pursue a healthy and hope-filled future for themselves. We also hope it will inspire support from others for their important mission.”
The Stoops Family Foundation Residential Cottage is located at HomeSafe’s new Sylvester Family Foundation West campus at 654 Lyons Road, West Palm Beach. The new 9,984 square-foot Cottage will house 12 girls in their own individual suites, which include a private bedroom and bathroom. The Cottage also has a kitchen, living and dining areas, therapy wing and gaming area to create a comfortable home environment. This location provides Residential Group Care where treatment services occur in home-like settings. Dedicated professionals, guardians, community members, and school personnel are all involved in the program. Children in HomeSafe’s residential group homes are expected to attend school and participate in suitable recreational and social activities. The specialized therapeutic group care is designed to give children the help and support that they need to achieve success.
HomeSafe currently has seven locations, including the Sylvester Family Foundation West campus. The main location in Lake Worth includes the organization’s administrative offices and programs including Healthy Beginnings, which is the Child Development Program for children from birth through five years of age and their families; Residential Group Care and SafetyNet, which provides immediate intervention and prevention services to victims of domestic violence and their children. The Bernstein Family Foundation Campus in Boca Raton includes Residential Group Care and Healthy Beginnings. The Belle Glade, Wellington and West Palm Beach campuses offer the Healthy Beginnings program. HomeSafe at Pond Place, located on the Bernstein Independent Living Campus in Palm Springs, offers the Independent Living Program for children that have aged out of the foster care system.
For more information on HomeSafe or to donate, please visit helphomesafe.org or call 561-383-9800.