esterday was a big day for Place of Hope's newest campus in Martin County as we broke ground on the Bender Family Village and Snyder Family Complex! The Bender Family Village will soon have four complexes for single moms with kids, aged-out foster youth, homeless youth and human trafficking survivors. The first of the four complexes was named after Martin County Sheriff William Snyder and his son Representative John Snyder.

The village and the first complex are made possible by local couple John & Bobbi Erbey.

"We wanted to name the village The Bender Family Village because Charles has been blessed with exceptional management skills, vision and personality that he has used effectively to develop an organization that for many years has been rated Number One in the entire United States for the services provided by Place of Hope. His vision for this village will enable aspiring youth to succeed and help a few first responders to have access to affordable housing.
We are also gratified to name the first complex after two outstanding members of the local community, Sheriff William Snyder and his son, Representative John Snyder, who we know are Godly people and have a clear image of right and wrong. This is the role model we want to see evidenced in the Village. Sheriff Snyder has been a strong leader for good in Martin County and Representative Snyder has been a strong voice for the Community in the Florida Legislature. We are honored by their agreement to name the first complex after them." John & Bobbi Erbey

The Snyder Family Complex is expected to open at the end of this year. Once the four complexes in the Bender Family Village are built out, the village will serve daily up to 64 young adults, and single mothers with children.
"There’s always been that gap between foster care and getting out to the adult world. This will help fill that gap," the Martin County Sheriff told WPBF 25 News.

"They’re using the Snyder family name as a dedication. But it’s not us, it’s the community. It’s the men and women of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, it’s the generosity of the community."
During the ceremony, two women who have received care from Place of Hope shared their stories of resilience.

"I grew up in a very abusive household. My mother just chose drugs over her children. So, when I was 12, I ended up in the care of the state," Beatrice Mattison-Santos

When she was 16, her mother had overdosed. With the support of her loved ones at Place of Hope, she said she never felt alone.

"I actually felt like I was a whole person going to school for once in my life," she said.

And now, Mattison-Santos is about to graduate from college and has just bought a new home.

"I’m currently a senior studying at FAU, neuroscience and behavior," she said. "I’m also currently renovating a home I just bought recently as well."
WPBF 25 News also spoke with a single mother who had been receiving care and support from Place of Hope.

"When you have a kid, you need a safe place. So, I was able to go to Place of Hope, and I’ve been in there for two years now.

"Even though I am a single mother, I don’t feel like I’m a single mother because I have safe, stable and affordable housing," she added. "I was able to graduate college, and now I’m pursuing another career which is nursing. And I’ve already started nursing school," shares Ancy Augustin.

"It takes all the people bringing their resources to make this model work because it’s not easy. But it takes them really wanting to make their own lives successful, and people coming around them to help them do that," Charles Bender, Place of Hope CEO, told WPBF 25 News.

Regionally, Place of Hope has more than 100 beds in transitional housing right now, with more on the way.

"We’ll open a couple of the facilities within the next six to eight months and then after that we’ll start to build the individual buildings. So maybe a year from now, you’ll see those out of the ground," Bender said.

"It’s a support you never could imagine," Mattison-Santos said.
The Bender Family Village's first complex, the Snyder Family Complex, will have a total of eight "cottages" or apartments. Each cottage, a two bedroom/two bathroom apartment, will house two residents and offer independent life skills and comprehensive supportive services.

Long time supporters of Place of Hope, Chuck and Diane Hanlon have given a generous gift toward this campaign, naming the first cottage.

The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation also committed a generous gift toward this campaign, naming the second cottage in the Snyder Family Complex!

The third of eight cottages to provide safe and stable affordable transitional housing for our youth and single moms with children, is our Ambassador Impact Cottage. "We have named this third unit our Ambassador Impact Cottage and launched our Ambassador Impact Cottage Campaign because we have seen how the residents and business in Martin County rally for something they believe in. We want to provide the community an opportunity to come together in a collective effort to be a part of this life changing campus," Jamie Bond, Place of Hope Director of Advancement and Development.

This campaign challenges the community to come together collectively (at various amounts), as "Ambassadors" to raise the needed $200,000 through the community’s combined efforts, energies, gifts, fundraising events, and generosity.

Those who give toward this campaign will join our Ambassador Impact Society. Thanks to The Cannon Family, Christ Memorial Chapel, D & H Enterprises of Florida, and Wiglesworth-Rindom Insurance Agency, Harley Davidson of the Treasure Coast and JMcLaughlin Hobe Sound, for their gifts in the campaign, we have raised nearly $50,000 toward the Ambassador Impact Cottage!

Individual gifts of all amounts will be recognized. Ambassadors who choose to help raise funds through events, peer-to-peer requests, or via personal contacts with foundations, families, and individual contacts, will also be recognized (funds can be given or raised), along with the donors.

Multiple additional capital naming opportunities are available, and all gifts will help us toward our Phases I and II goal of $11,000,000. To learn more about this campaign and how you can support Place of Hope, email JamieB@placeofhope.com.
Place of Hope in the News
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Save the date for one of Martin and Palm Beach Counties coolest charitable events benefiting thousands of abused and neglected children and youth, single moms with children, homeless youth and human trafficking survivors – our 5th Annual Paradise on the Peninsula, Friday, October 13, 2023!


Each year this event grows bigger and better! We have several new surprises and new additions to keep the event fresh and exciting. While our formal sponsorship package and formal invitation are in design, this is your chance to get have your logo/brand listed on the invitation going out to thousands of locals and committed Place of Hope supporters and friends. Sponsors who commit by May 24 will be included on the invitation and sponsorship package delineated by your sponsorship level!
“Light in the Shadows” Breaking the Cycle of Exploitation is Place of Hope’s Inaugural
Anti-Human Trafficking Luncheon Presented by Connie Frankino and
Co-Chaired by Jill Gallagher and Jordan Brown.

This elegant yet riveting and inspiring luncheon will put a spotlight on child exploitation and human trafficking. It will enlighten and empower you to take action in our fight against human trafficking.

TAKE ACTION
  • Join the committee
  • Become an event sponsor or table host
  • Request a presentation to learn more
  • Advocate
  • Join us for this Inaugural Anti-Human Trafficking Luncheon