Photo By Paul Marino
What began as a call to action in 1994 at Christ Fellowship Church in South Florida has evolved into the largest, most diverse faith-based children, youth and families organization spanning Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.
Place of Hope, headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, has been committed to offering a stable and nurturing environment for healing and restoration since 1999, catering to those who are suffering, homeless and/or victims of abuse — equipping them with the tools to succeed in their academics, workplace and relationships.
Founding CEO Charles L. Bender III, who spent years working with housing, social and human services organizations in Palm Beach County, has led the 501(c)(3) nonprofit to monumental debt-free growth.
“I think of myself as a social entrepreneur,” Bender, 54, explains. “I like things that are moving and growing. In some ways, we’re like other charities and nonprofits — we like to stay relevant as to where the business needs are.”
Although primarily known as a child welfare organization dedicated to preventing abuse, Place of Hope also provides a loving and homelike foster environment for sibling groups who are unable to stay together.
“We also provide homelike, loving foster homes for kids individually not able to stay in their homes,” says Bender, a Palm Beach Gardens resident. “We employ 95 staff members and have 2,000 volunteers within the 12-month period.”
Fourteen years ago, Paxson Campus (main campus) in Palm Beach Gardens inaugurated an emergency (temporary) shelter for boys ages 6 to 15. Subsequently, Villages of Hope and Donna’s Place at The Villages opened nearby, followed by The Haven, now known as Place of Hope. Additional locations include Kidsanctuary Campus in West Palm Beach, The Leighan and David Rinker Campus in Boca Raton, Treasures for Hope Charity Store in Palm Beach Gardens, Treasure Coast Hobe Sound and Treasure Coast St. Lucie.
In Boca Raton, construction is happening at an unprecedented rate, with a campaign launched to build out The Leighan and David Rinker Campus, Bender says. “And we’re constructing our second two-story transitional housing facility — the Schmitt Family Housing Complex.”
Place of Hope is also renovating and expanding an 11-acre campus in Stuart that was gifted to the charity, which will be transition housing for mothers, aged-out children and children in foster care.
“We’re building out all these campuses debt-free, and we plan on keeping it that way.”
For more information or to support Place of Hope, call 561-775-7195 or visit placeofhope.com.