Melbourne, FL – 1/5/21
Brevard Family Partnership started 2021 off with a great celebration as Mike and Brenna Hoffman of Florida Bulb and Ballast donated a 2006 Lexus to Gabby, a young adult exiting foster care at the age of 18. The car was donated through Brevard Family Partnership’s Road to Autonomy Car Loan Program specifically designed for young adults in Brevard County who have exited foster care or are in extended foster care.
A recent graduate of the Fast-Track GED program through Ready for Life, Gabby is currently attending cosmetology school in Melbourne. When asked what this car means to her, Gabby replied, ”This means I don’t have to depend on other people for rides to school and other appointments with my 4 month old daughter.”
Reliable transportation is essential to help ensure young adults achieve self-sufficiency as they exit foster care and move on to higher education or the workforce. “Providing older foster youth with the tools needed to succeed in life and in the workplace is vital to our mission of caring for Brevard County’s most vulnerable youth,” stated Phil Scarpelli, CEO of Brevard Family Partnership.
This car is the second car donated under the Road to Autonomy program, whereby eligible young adults needing transportation can receive a donated car or can request assistance in obtaining a car loan through Community Credit Union. “Many youth exiting the foster care system face hurdles that other young adults may not experience, including purchasing their first car,” adds Scarpelli.
Mike and Brenna Hoffman are longtime donors to Brevard Family Partnership, and Mike was on hand to meet Gabby, hear her story, and introduce her to her new car.
“This gift from Mike and Brenna helps Gabby on her path to self-sufficiency and success. That’s what the ‘Road to Autonomy’ is all about,” adds Scarpelli.
