LIFEBUILDERS OF THE TREASURE COAST INC

LifeBuilders strives to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and enhance the rehabilitation available through the criminal justice system, while reducing overcrowding in our jails and decreasing jail and court costs.

Children whose parents are involved in the criminal justice system face a host of challenges and difficulties: psychological strain, problems in school, economic hardship, and more. Instability is one of the greatest risk factors for child development. Instability is the experience of change in individual or family circumstances where the change is abrupt, involuntary, and/or in a negative direction, and thus is more likely to have adverse implications for child development. Children experiencing residential instability demonstrate worse academic and social outcomes than their residentially-stable peers, including increased high school drop-out rates, and lower adult educational attainment. Incarceration of a parent increases a family's material hardship, contributes to housing insecurity and adds to the instability of family life, especially among poor children. Parents involved with the criminal justice system are more likely to experience instability; in housing, transportation, education and more.

Most indigent individuals involved in the court system have neither personal nor family financial assistance. Limited community services are available to meet the needs of low-income individuals as they progress through drug or mental health court, diversionary or in-jail rehabilitation or restorative programs or dependency court. When existing financial resources are exhausted, individuals cannot participate in much needed rehabilitation programs, or obtain specific items that would educate and guide them into a productive and crime-free lifestyle.

By filling the financial gap that exists after all public/family funding and community resources have been exhausted, low-income individuals involved in the 19th Judicial Circuit criminal or dependency courts can continue on a recovery path and return to a productive life in the community. The stability offered also has a long term impact on their children, reducing the cycle of long term familial court involvement.

LifeBuilders helps remove the hurdles for those affected by the 19th Circuit Judicial System, empowering them to make positive changes and to pursue success. Many hard working people, striving to overcome poverty's barriers, face financial stumbling blocks. LifeBuilders can assist in removing these impediments to success. We address immediate needs such as housing and utility assistance, substance abuse treatment assistance, and items such as clothing, supplies, and tools for educational purposes and employment. LifeBuilders is a funder of last resort, filling the gaps in community assistance. Our assistance is a one-time service to applicants who are striving to make positive changes and have a plan for sustainability.

Applicants apply for assistance online at www.LifeBuildersTC.com and they are evaluated for compliance with eligibility criteria. Information is verified and a determination is made as to whether assistance can be provided and to what level.

The simple interventions provided by LifeBuilders can stop the domino effect of instability and prevent the exponential negative impact on children. LifeBuilders connects families with supports and financial resources to overcome short-term barriers and to maintain the stability needed to follow a path towards a productive, crime-free lifestyle for themselves, their families and their communities. This help comes in the form of:
• Work Assistance
• Education Assistance
• Driver's License or ID procurement
• Improved access to substance abuse and mental health treatment and specialized court interventions
• Rent and utility assistance
• Help with basic needs and transportation
• Support for medical and dental care
• Information and referral

LifeBuilders maintains an application Hotline (772) 882-1222 with phone hours Monday-Thursday, 9am to 4pm for individuals to inquire about, or submit an application. Applications for assistance may be made by the client or family/caregiver. LifeBuilders has partnered with many community agencies as well as local businesses to extend additional services and also has collaborative agreements with United Way agencies.

The Board, consisting of the elected Public Defender of the 19th Judicial Circuit, private attorneys, law enforcement, local businesses and those in charge of diversion court offers a unique vantage point that provides ongoing enhancement of LifeBuilders' quality of services.

LifeBuilders has several key capabilities that ensure its long-term success and ability to continue to grow.
1) No duplication – The funds that are used by LifeBuilders are funds of 'last resort' and do not duplicate assistance that is provided by other entities. The organization strives to only fill the gaps that exist.
2) Collaboration - Staff and volunteers have worked closely with the Public Defender's office, re-entry specialists, employers, and other human service providers for nearly 10 years. With this network, we have the collective skills, abilities, and expertise to address the multitude of challenges faced by those we seek to assist.
3) Adaptable – LifeBuilders is well versed in managing its resources and successes through established databases, relationships, processes and procedures. The flexibility that has been built-in allows us to respond quickly to the unique needs of our applicants.

LifeBuilders' Board consists of many different professionals who are active within the 19th Judicial Circuit court system and have a strong commitment to helping those touched by the court to succeed. Each Board member has a passion for helping those who want out of the downward spiral of crime. Community support is reaching newer heights as President of the Board, Diamond R. Litty, and our Community Relations Coordinator, Eric Kohrhamer speak to philanthropic and business organizations about LifeBuilders' mission.

LifeBuilders maintains a year-around schedule seeking revenue from grants and fund-raising activities so that we can help fulfill the needs of the individuals who meet the criteria for assistance. Long-range planning includes additional grant and private donation requests as well as funding raising events.

In 2021, LifeBuilders disbursed $210,112 in assistance to help 454 individuals and families stay on the path to becoming successful citizens who build strong communities. Since 2009, LifeBuilders has provided over $1.6 million in assistance to more than 5,000 individuals and families with low income who are striving to overcome poverty's barriers to success.

LifeBuilders has established relationships with more than 75 different community partners that provide referrals and services to ensure a comprehensive response to those whose lives have been affected by the 19th Circuit Judicial System.

We are constantly seeking grants and private donations as well as scheduling fund raising events to help with our mission of "Changing Lives and Protecting Communities." We would like to be able to provide 100% assistance to all of our approved applicants, but if this is not possible, then at least partial assistance to all approved.

We want to continue to grow with additional collaborations with other agencies in the community so that we may pair our services to help those in need.