Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach is honored to announce a generous $25,000 grant award from The Corbett Foundation, dedicated to supporting our Samaritan Center, a transitional housing facility serving homeless families in Vero Beach, Florida. This funding will play a vital role in sustaining our mission-driven work, helping families transition from homelessness to stability and independence.
A Mission of Hope and Self-Sufficiency
Rooted in the values of faith, respect, service, and compassion, Catholic Charities is committed to serving people in need and creating hope in all stages of life. The Samaritan Center reflects this mission by offering a structured, supportive living environment where families not only receive shelter but also gain the skills and tools needed to achieve long-term self-sufficiency.
Our four-tiered program is designed to help residents build essential life skills such as parenting, budgeting, conflict resolution, and long-term planning. Each adult resident is required to work full-time, open a bank account, save a minimum of 75% of their income, and participate fully in all required workshops and counseling sessions. The average length of stay is between 6 to 9 months, with a clear focus on education, accountability, and personal growth.
Meeting Challenges with Compassion and Strategy
The need for transitional housing and wraparound services has grown significantly due to the escalating cost of living in Indian River County. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, rent, utilities, childcare, and food costs have skyrocketed. The living hourly wage in Indian River County is currently $36.12/hour for one adult and one child, while the average wage is just $19.00/hour. This disparity has made it increasingly difficult for families to find and maintain stable housing.
In addition, landlords are grappling with rising maintenance and insurance costs, creating even greater barriers for low-income families trying to secure permanent housing. The funding provided by The Corbett Foundation helps us meet these challenges head-on by maintaining critical services—such as 24/7 staff supervision, parenting assistance, age-appropriate children's programs, and both individual and family counseling.
Proven Impact, Promising Futures
This investment allows us to sustain our high level of service and continue achieving outstanding outcomes:
90% of families show improvement in self-sufficiency using the Self-Sufficiency Matrix (SSM)
90% improve their WHODAS (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Score)
90% of graduates transition to permanent housing
80% remain housed one year after graduation
These metrics are more than numbers—they represent lives changed, families restored, and futures reimagined.
With Gratitude
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach extends our sincere thanks to The Corbett Foundation for believing in our mission and investing in the future of homeless families in Indian River County. Their generosity empowers us to continue this vital work, offering not only shelter but a pathway to dignity, stability, and independence.
Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate community—one family at a time.
For more information about the Samaritan Center or to support our mission, click here.
