Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Jeff Faine and Children’s Home Society of Florida present the second annual An Evening of HOPE Feb. 12, 7 p.m., at the Ballroom at Church Street Station in downtown Orlando. Monies raised through this black-tie gala will benefit The Faine House, a Project of H.O.P.E. (Home of Positive Encouragement), serving Central Florida’s young adults who have aged out of foster care. The Faine House will provide a safe place to live, educational and career guidance, and life skills training to prepare former foster youth for independent, self-sufficient lives.
“Many teens who age out of foster care have been in the child welfare system for the majority of their lives. They’ve struggled with multiple traumas and, on their 18th birthdays, are then expected to live as responsible adults. For many, that’s not realistic,” says Tara Hormell, Children’s Home Society of Florida executive director. “The Faine House will fill a critical void in Central Florida, and An Evening of HOPE offers the community a chance to join us in transforming the lives of local teens.”
The Mardi Gras-themed gala welcomes The Knot to provide live music throughout the night as guests mingle with professional athletes and enjoy authentic New Orleans-style cuisine, live and silent auctions, casino tables, and open bars.
An Evening of HOPE 2010 raised more than $75,000 for The Faine House; Children’s Home Society of Florida and Faine hope to double the proceeds this year.
Youth who age out of foster care comprise the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population, creating increased urgency to fund The Faine House. “The kids who come to The Faine House are going to be able to reinvest themselves in the community, and that is what is most important,” Faine says.
An Evening of HOPE is the program’s signature fundraising event.
An Evening of HOPE tickets are $150 each and may be purchased online at www.chsTheFaineHouse.org.
