Learn How to Become a Host Home Helping Young Adults ages 18-21

Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services, Inc. (Miami Bridge) is launching the first Host Home Program in South Florida to help young adults ages 18-21 who are currently experiencing housing instability or homelessness. The nonprofit organization, which has been providing services to families and at-risk youth for over three decades, helps families open lines of communication and enables parents and guardians to develop skills in providing guidance and structure for their children.

Host homes are a different concept from the foster-care system. Unlike foster parents, host homes provide short-term housing (1 to 6 months), acting more as roommates. They are also paid a significantly lower stipend. Miami Bridge is working with partner agencies, in addition to some marketing efforts, to find more host homes in South Florida. They are also planning for a town hall meeting to inform the community about the program. Those interested in learning more about becoming a host home provider can contact Emilio Vento at evento@miamibridge.org.

“We are very excited to be taking part in this program,” stated Dr. Dorcas L. Wilcox, CEO of Miami Bridge. “Our hope is that its success will mean that other communities will participate in helping fill this critical need for older youth.”  

Youth in Miami Bridge’s Host Home Program will be matched with a volunteer host who is responsible for providing adequate food and shelteras well as mentorship for an agreed period of time. In addition, staff members from Miami Bridge’s Host Home Program will be responsible for providing support services such ascase management, assistance with the development of goals, development of life skills, educational and employment assistance, benefits enrollment, family/individual counseling, and mediation. They will also help with necessities such as clothing as aligned with the Individual Service Plan (ISP) created with program staff. All services provided by the hosts and staff are no charge to youth.

To apply, participants must meet the following criteria:

• Be between the ages of 18-21 at the time of application
• Currently experiencing housing instability or short-term homelessness
• Be willing and able to abide by all the program and agency policies
• Be able to maintain contact with Host Home Program staff

Youth will meet with their preferred host match a minimum of two times prior to moving in if their host match is an unknown individual/family to the youth. Youth, however, may meet with as many hosts as are available and are not obligated to match with any host because of a meeting.

About Miami Bridge Youth & Family Services, Inc.

Miami Bridge was established in 1985 and serves as Miami-Dade County’s only 24-hour emergency shelter for children and teens in crisis ages 10-17. For 34 years, the non-profit organization has worked to rescue youth in the community from lives of victimization and crime by providing refuge, protection and specialized care in a nurturing, stable environment. Annually, Miami Bridge shelters more than 600 children and teens, providing over 10,000 care days for those individuals, as well as counseling to more than 550 families with children ages 6-17. For additional information, please visit www.miamibridge.org.