Lotus House, the nation’s largest women’s homeless shelter and a leading model for holistic shelter services, has announced the opening of The Children’s Village at Lotus Village, an innovative education and resource center designed to serve the shelter’s children as well as families in the surrounding community. The 71,000-square-foot facility aims to advance the safety, education, health, and wellbeing of children, youth, and families, transforming a once-neglected corner of Miami’s Overtown neighborhood into a hub for learning, creativity, and hope.
Joining the team of philanthropists and corporations supporting The Children’s Village is Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst. Through a $5 million gift to the capital campaign, Griffin is helping to ensure that every child in Miami has access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.
“Lotus Village was developed on the premise that a shelter built on a foundation of evidence-based therapies and holistic programming could end the cycle of homelessness,” said Constance Collins, founder of Lotus House. “Nearly two decades later, more than 86 percent of our guests are exiting the shelter system following their stay at Lotus Village. The next step is preventing homelessness by empowering children and families through educational and therapeutic supports, year-round programming, and greater access to healthcare and social services – all under one roof at the Children’s Village. We are deeply grateful to Ken Griffin for his generous support and shared belief in the power of community to change lives.”…