The Why

      When were first met, Austin and I were linked on one thing: We wanted to do youth ministry together. We both cared deeply about kids and youth who were under privileged, marginalized, unloved or tossed away. I have always dreamed of opening my own community center, Austin has goals of bringing mental health awareness to the church.

      We have both had Social Work as a degree in our line of focus at some point and are both passionate about social justice. I have spent the last five years working at a community center and with children who have behavioral and developmental needs. Austin got his youth ministry degree and has spent the last year and a half working for a non-profit with youth who have behavioral needs. We know that this population can be challenging. We have been cursed out, spit at, bit, had objects thrown at us, publicly humiliated and felt extremely defeated; yet when we come home from our daily jobs, we still find stories to tell each other that make us laugh until our ribs hurt. We know that we have been gifted and strengthened to do this sort of work well.

     During our initial interview, we were asked "Why Florida? Why do you want to move all the way here?" Our response? "Why not?"

     We have nothing holding us back, we have no mortgage, no pets, no plans in cement. As we have begun to share with people what is next, the most common thing we hear is "This is the perfect time in your life to do this!" And we agree.