Helping people with special needs live purposeful lives
LightField Studios
As more individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live well into adulthood, the need to support families and caregivers is rapidly growing. In Florida, there are over 500,000 persons with these disabilities and over 30,000 on waiting lists for services. Of this population, 75% live with family, with an estimated 31% of the family caregivers over age 60. Southwest Florida is fortunate to have Protected Harbor, which successfully reaches this population to provide housing, day programming, respite care, and case management. In keeping with its mission, Protected Harbor offers residential and community-based programs enhanced with Christian care in Lee and Collier counties.
On March 21, Protected Harbor will hold its annual Homes with Heart Luncheon at the Hyatt Coconut Point.
This year, the keynote speaker will be Colette Divitto, a young woman born with Down Syndrome. Despite her challenges, she channeled her energies into positive actions, which in turn gave birth to ideas, dreams, and goals. Ideas, dreams, and goals eventually morphed into concrete achievements: she became the proud owner of Collettey’s Cookies and Collettey’s Leadership (non-profit). She’s been referred to as tenacious, strong-willed, and a woman who can persevere despite her challenges. Hearing her in person will certainly move you and help you understand that anyone, through faith and determination, can turn their disabilities into abilities and a successful life.
Protected Harbor helps people with special needs live purposeful lives by providing life skills training, vocational workshops, and recreation. Additional community engagement opportunities exist through participation in arts and sports programs, academic courses, or volunteerism at charitable venues in our community. Each client entrusted to Protected Harbor is served in an environment where they are nurtured by caring, professional staff whose goal is to help them reach their maximum potential. They encourage personal growth socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
Protected Harbor has recognized the significant and growing need in Southwest Florida for more supported living options, including independent and group housing. Individual services such as training, life skills, and social or emotional support are also an urgent need for this growing population when their caregivers can no longer provide for their needs.
Protected Harbor’s current fundraising goals are to expand these services by developing a campus equipped with independent and group housing, social services, day programming, therapeutic activities, and employment opportunities. Most recently Mr. Tom Golisano, a local entrepreneur and philanthropist, recognized the important work of Protected Harbor, by awarding us with a substantial donation. This will help us towards achieving our goals of reaching more people in our community who are in dire need of our services.
The Board is grateful for the community partners, private donors, sponsors, and churches that have generously supported their organization.
Join us! Go to godsprotectedharbor.org to purchase tickets for the luncheon, donate, or learn more about Protected Harbor and the exceptional way the organization serves the needs of our community. Visit our website or contact the Senior Director, Robin Antone, at R.Antone@godsprotectedharbor.org or 239.572.3495 for more information.
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