Photo By Michael Murphy Photography
Tanya Cunningham, Ayesha Williams, Jenne Feliciano and Kristina DaSilva
Flite Center has announced Hawks Edge, a new 16-bed residence for youth and survivors of human trafficking, set to open in early 2026.
The new housing facility, located directly across the street from the center’s West Palm Beach office, will provide on-site programming and support for young people.
“We’re thrilled to expand our footprint in Palm Beach, adding more transitional housing as an extension of our much-needed program for our homeless youth and survivors of human trafficking,” says Wanda Perez, interim CEO of Flite Center.
“We applaud the PB County Commissioners for recognizing the immediate need. We extend special thanks to Payne Chapel AME Church and the Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development for their willingness to help our youth. We welcome other PB County individuals and businesses to rally around our cause.”
Flite Center’s primary participants for this project are aged 18 to 25 who are transitioning out of child welfare services or part of other vulnerable populations (at-risk of experiencing homelessness, survivors of human trafficking and LGBTQIA+ individuals). Additional residents will include young adults aged 25 to 30 years old from the same underserved populations who need permanent housing.
Perez adds, “With South Florida rental rates being some of the highest in the nation, finding affordable housing has continued to be a major challenge for transitional youth who face barriers such as little to no savings for a security deposit, a poor or nonexistent credit history and the lack of a parent or guardian to co-sign a lease. While these issues are not uncommon, the vulnerability of transitional youth combined with the hopelessness created by this daunting reality leaves them at a higher risk of human trafficking and exploitation.”
For more information about Hawks Edge and Flite Center, visit flitecenter.org.