EUSTIS, Fla. — Nonprofits around the region are fundraising as part of Giving Tuesday.

In Lake County, one nonprofit is helping children in foster care transition into adulthood.

What You Need To Know

  • According to DCF. more than 20% of young adults who come out of foster care become homeless after the age of 18

  • Many of these young adults couch surf and even live in tents

  • Denise Burry's Forward Paths Foundation creates solutions to combat youth homelessness in Lake County 

Leading the path forward. Denise Burry did not know what she was getting into, but knew she always had a passion for helping out children in her community.          

“We work to protect these kids all growing up, these kids in our foster care system, in our schools. Then they become young adults and then there’s nothing,” said Denise Burry, Executive Director, Forward Paths Foundation.

Realizing the lack of resources for young adults in Lake County, she knew she had to do something.

“We wanted to see our young people supported in our community, especially the disadvantage and at-risk youth,” said Burry.

Burry helped create the Forward Paths Foundation. A nonprofit with the mission to help young adults ages 16 to 24 transition into the real world through education, housing, and even mentorships. The organization currently serves 156 young adults and 53 children. Some of which are living at The Cottages on Grove, in Eustis.

“In the end we’ll have about 27 youth living on this campus, being able to ride a bike to school, hopefully find a part-time job while they do it,” said Burry.

According to DCF, over 20% of young adults who come out of foster care become homeless after the age of 18. But Burry knows the need in Lake County is far greater than what her organization can do.

“We’re not a metropolitan area where you have the huge funding and the variety of educational programs. If something doesn’t work out for somebody in one place, can they go someplace else? Well, that doesn’t existence here,” said Burry.

This Giving Tuesday, the First Presbyterian Church of Umatilla gave Forward Paths Foundation $6,000 through Mt. Dora Community Trust. Burry is hoping to use that money to expand The Cottages on Grove.

“It’s at this time, this holiday season when we’re all reminded the importance of giving back to your community,” said Burry.

Mount Dora Community Trust partners with various nonprofits around Lake County. For more information, click here.