The Our Fund Foundation announced it kicked off an ambitious $100,000 summer campaign to help provide critical funding for the Sunshine Pride House, a safe haven for unhoused LGBTQ+ young adults which is located in Fort Lauderdale.

As the only LGBTQ+ community foundation in South Florida, The Our Fund Foundation is intrinsically aware of the many challenges unhoused LGBTQ+ youth face on a daily basis. The nonprofit stepped up to take the lead, providing a one-to-one match for all financial contributions made up until July 31, 2024.

The Sunshine Pride House opened its doors in early 2024 to provide shelter, counseling, education and life skills to young adults who have been cast out by their families after revealing their sexual orientation.

In an inspiring display of collaborative support and solidarity, the Sunshine Cathedral, SunServe and the FLITE Center joined the two donors and The Our Fund Foundation in their efforts to make The Sunshine Pride House a reality. The six-bedroom, four-bathroom, 2,854 square-foot duplex currently houses 12 LGBTQ+ young adults.   

The journey to remedy the perilous housing deficit began four years ago when two donors on separate paths, yet sharing the same vision, were connected by The Our Fund Foundation.

Michael Kalb, who championed the project from its conception, contacted The Our Fund Foundation, to discuss what could be done to address the need for solutions and whether other donors and non-profit organizations might be interested in adding their support to Kalb’s mission.

Fort Lauderdale resident Terry Merlin, who was simultaneously struck by the stories and statistics surrounding the plight of unhoused LGBTQ+ young adults, felt compelled to take action. Merlin matched Kalb’s generous donation, securing the funds to fully purchase an existing property and retrofit the property.

The innovative project offers comprehensive support, mentorship and a nurturing environment that empowers LGBTQ+ young adults to thrive. Wrap-around services include daily monitoring, life skills coaching, mental health counseling, educational training and job placement.

“The Sunshine Pride House is a beacon in our community and a testament as to how various nonprofits can partner together for the greater good,” said David Jobin president & CEO of The Our Fund Foundation. “The funds we raise will not only offset fixed housing costs, but they will also support comprehensive programs and services to reintegrate young people into the community.”

The Sunshine Cathedral, a trusted organization with more than 50 years of experience owning and managing properties, is the agency that formally acquired and owns the Sunshine Pride House. 

“Our congregation immediately expressed interest in supporting LGBTQ unhoused youth, a crisis that has grown over time,” said Dr. Robert Griffin, executive minister of the Sunshine Cathedral. “When we learned that The Our Fund Foundation was working on this issue, we quickly signed on as the lead agency to make this vision a reality.”

Collaboration between SunServe and FLITE Center was the driving force behind the project’s early success in its beta format. FLITE Center is a statewide expert at offering comprehensive access to services for unhoused young people with a focus on transitioning them to become successful adults.

For more information or to make a donation of any size, please contact The Our Fund Foundation at TheOurFund.org or call 954-565-1090.

Content Courtesy of The Our Fund Foundation and Sunshine Pride House