A new foster care home, Bridge and Beyond , is opening in San Carlos Park to provide a safe and temporary space for children in need. The facility is already prepared with welcome bags on the beds, signaling its readiness to offer comfort and support as the children transition into the care system.
Michelle Scott, Program Director, emphasized the home’s community focus. “We say it takes a village to raise a kid and to care for a kid. This will still be their village. This village will always be here,” she said. The home aims to provide hope, support, and opportunities for children who have experienced trauma.
The facility will primarily serve children ages 10-17, many of whom are entering the dependency system. Mike Carroll, Lutheran Services Florida's chief operating officer, noted that the home will cater to teens, a group often overlooked by other facilities due to their challenges. "We will do those things that other providers will shy away from, either because of risk or difficulty,” Carroll explained.
Bridge and Beyond is designed to feel like a home, not an institution. Scott remarked, "We didn’t want it to feel like a shelter. And I think we hit it on the mark. It feels like a home. It will be a home.” The facility includes a garden, a hangout area, and a computer space to help children experience a family-style life.
Local community partners like FK Your Diet are also supporting the home by donating essential items like hygiene products. Amy Eldridge, co-owner of the restaurant, shared that they have filled a shed with supplies and will continue helping with future needs.
With a list of children already waiting for placement, Bridge and Beyond is ready to provide a safe and nurturing environment. The doors will officially open on Monday, offering a safe haven to local children in need.