From its website – Port in the Storm is a “port in the storm of life” for youth who have fallen through the cracks. They say that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. No one cared if they came home and what was going on at home was often scarier than the streets. Now they are on the streets and more alone than ever.
They are no longer kids. They are hurt. They are tough. They are angry. They are lost. This is the last chance to help them before they spiral down into the pit of chronic homelessness, mental illness or suicide. Port in the Storm is a safe place off the streets for homeless/unaccompanied youth in crisis. Caring adults provide stability, hope and a path to successful future through Positive Youth Development programming.
Located at 1375 Arapaho Avenue in St Augustine, day drop-in services are provided from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily including life skills, basic needs, job skills, housing assistance and more. Port in the Storm now provides 16 beds for those youth needing a place to stay.
Every month throughout the year, Altrusans take a Birthday Cake and Gift Bags to the guests at Port in the Storm who have celebrated a birthday that month. The gift bags contain gift cards, toiletries, and other essential items.
Pictured below is Sarah, the Volunteer Coordinator for St Francis House/Port in the Storm.
Altrusans have also held a Stuff the Stockings drive for the youth that are serviced by Port in the Storm. We collected gift cards, travel size toiletries, candy canes and holiday socks. People could donate the items through Amazon. We were able to stuff stockings for all of the guests and then some.
