BBTIS in Charlotte, NC picked the Journey Place for their project.

This is a home for males that have been abandoned and placed into

foster care but have aged out of the system and have no place to go.

Without a home like this these boys would be homeless and have no

future.

Our goal was to create a place that felt like a real “home” and

volunteer our time. We provided mentorship, played sports, offered

advice, listened to their stories, helped them with resumes and

appropriate contacts to find jobs and taught them basic life skills

- things that one would typically learn from a parent.

WE HELD AN ICE CREAM SOCIAL AND ENCOURAGED WE HELD AN ICE CREAM SOCIAL AND ENCOURAGED EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE.EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE.

THEN WE DISCUSSED THE PROJECT AND DESIGN THEN WE DISCUSSED THE PROJECT AND DESIGN PLANS WITH THE RESIDENTS.PLANS WITH THE RESIDENTS.

Everyday the residence saw a delivery truck pull up, they would run outside like it was Christmas.

THEN WE BROUGHT IN THE NEW! THEN WE BROUGHT IN THE NEW!

THE RESIDENTS HELPED US PUT IT ALL TOGETHERTHE RESIDENTS HELPED US PUT IT ALL TOGETHER

Along the way we taught them basic life skills, like putting together furniture, measuring, hanging curtains and pictures etc.

WE HOSTED A COOK OUT WHERE WE LEARNED MORE ABOUT WE HOSTED A COOK OUT WHERE WE LEARNED MORE ABOUT EACH RESIDENT AND HOW WE CAN HELP THEM IN LIFE…EACH RESIDENT AND HOW WE CAN HELP THEM IN LIFE…

We also stocked their cabinets , supplied the residents with basic kitchen utensils & appliances We also stocked their cabinets , supplied the residents with basic kitchen utensils & appliances and taught them hot to cook, plan meals . We also created a personalized cookbook for each of and taught them hot to cook, plan meals . We also created a personalized cookbook for each of

them.them.

TALK, LAUGH, HAVE FUN…TALK, LAUGH, HAVE FUN…

These young men have basically been abandoned all their lives

so we have made future plans to keep in contact. Going forward,

there will be a basketball rematch and we want to attend some of their games to cheer them on. We have identified

each young man’s hopes for the future and we are actively trying

to help them get jobs and training in their areas of interest. We will have monthly dinners to

continue teaching them basic kitchen skills and to continue building on the relationships

that we have started.

This project not only touched the current residents of the house, but we have set it up so future residents have a more productive and comfortable environment for an easier transition into independent living. In addition we have assembled starter/move out kits for the residents that include basic kitchen and bathroom items that will alleviate some of the stress one faces when moving out on their

own.

 

Not only were we able to fulfill the original plans of this project but we went above and beyond. The intangible reward in what actually happened with this

project is priceless. The young men not only came out of their shells and opened up but they learned lifelong skills that they may not have learned

anywhere else and developed a unique relationship with each of us. BBTIS really gave these young men the confidence that people truly care about them.

We had over 50 volunteers and We had over 50 volunteers and put in more than 340 hours….put in more than 340 hours….