Page 5 - Jupiter Spotlight- May '24

Jupiter Spotlight, Page 5
SleepOut Raises $700,000-Plus So More Can Sleep In Homes

The Lord’s Place 17th Annual
SleepOut Reemphasizes

Housing As A Human Right

After 17 years, The Lord’s
Place SleepOut evolved into
a unique hybrid event uniting
people across the country on
one shared night with a shared
mission. On Friday, April 5
people from all walks of life Graduate client Richard Phillips, Chief Human Resources Officer Jan Phillips, CEO Diana Stanley,
dedicated the night differently, graduate client Michelle Longarzo Danaluk, during the candlelight ceremony
but all with a common goal –
shining a light on homelessness
and raising essential funds to
bring an end to it. Including the Cornie Thornburgh, Patsy
dollar-for-dollar match from and Don Mitmire
the Honorable Ann Brown,
more than $700,000 was raised to support the agency’s programs
and services aimed to break the cycle of homelessness for men,
women and children in Palm Beach County.
Approximately 250 community members including The
Lord’s Place staff, volunteers, clients, community leaders,
supporters and friends, enjoyed the live program at The Lord’s
Place’ new headquarters, Fortin Family Campus, at 2808 North Anthony Hoskins dancing with the Honorable Ann Brown
Australian Ave. in West Palm Beach. Others throughout the The Sisters SleepOut fundraising team Roberta Stanley, during the concluding song of SleepOut
country viewed the program via livestream. Whether attending Diana Stanley and Joanne Stanley
in person or tuning into the virtual program, all participants
dedicated the night to ending homelessness. street engagement, job training, clinical services, reentry
Recognized as “the great equalizer,” this signature annual support and housing.
event unites people from diverse backgrounds, economics, 57-year-old Richard Phillips disclosed his family history
cultures and circumstances to stand in solidarity with the of addiction, alcoholism and incarceration. With 33 felony
thousands of men, women, and children in Palm Beach County convictions and a total of 17 years behind bars, Phillips cycled
who sleep out every night – not by choice but by circumstance. between incarceration and homelessness until he finally found
CEO of The Lord’s Place Diana Stanley echoed the same clear long-term care and housing through The Lord’s Place.
message that has been repeated for the last 17 years, “Supportive “I needed to unhomelessness myself, once and for all.
housing is the key to ending homelessness. We pledge to continue The pain of staying the same became greater than the pain of
advocating for systemic reform, ensuring that housing is not a changing. And all of a sudden, the people of The Lord’s Place
privilege, but a fundamental human right.” were there for me. And yes, they saved my life,” shared Phillips. Staff of The Lord’s Place: Rupert Williams, Danzell Madison,
Various clients told their stories of how the agency While living at the William H. Mann Place for men Tasha Harris
empowered them to reimagine their lives beyond the streets, in Boynton Beach, Phillips took advantage of all of the
by equipping them with the tools for change, including: programs and services offered. Today, he is eight years clean and sober, works full-time at Publix, lives in The Lord’s Place
graduate housing, and gives back and helps others.
Phillips added, “My family is proud of me … my sisters have
found strength in my journey. I’m the first person in my family
to break the mold. And I’m never going back to that life.”
The reimagined program stayed true to The Lord’s Place
mission and commitment to their clients. While attendees did
not spend the night at the actual event, all were encouraged to
step outside their comfort zone by sleeping out somewhere other
than their bed. Some chose setting up a sleeping bag on the living
room floor and others slept in a tent in the backyard or on their
porch. SleepOut is a symbolic effort to raise awareness of the
estimated 3,000 men, women, and children without a home on
any given night in Palm Beach County.
Since 1979, The Lord’s Place has been finding solutions
and providing services to take more people off the streets and
into homes. For more information on The Lord’s Place or to
make a donation to support the transformation of lives of the
most vulnerable and neglected in Palm Beach County, visit:
thelordsplace.org.
Top sponsors who made SleepOut possible include: The
Honorable Ann Brown, Laraine and Michael Stevens, Searcy
Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, PA, Carol and Will
Browne, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Cornelia and
Richard Thornburgh, Sally and Bob Gilbane and OSCWebco.
Best Bin Caddy#

NEW!

On sale
$ 79 95
Tax Inc.

Recycling Bin Caddy

Made in the USA
Using Heavy Duty PVC and All Terrain Wheels.
Easy To Use Design. Arrives Fully Assembled With
Free Local Delivery. (Bins not included.)
Call 561.354.8169
To Order Today