A celebrity golf tournament at Palm Beach National Golf Club in Greenacres raised money for The Lord’s Place, a Palm Beach County homeless services provider. The event, Par for the Culture, was presented by the Higher Learning Foundation and brought athletes and community leaders to the course.
The Lord’s Place says Palm Beach County has more than 500 shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness, but roughly 1,500 people currently need housing. Existing beds are generally given to people with the greatest needs, such as those who have been homeless the longest or who face serious health and safety risks. That can leave newly homeless people waiting for help.
The organization wants to close that gap with a new shelter model built on early intervention. The plan calls for intensive, short-term support to move people back into the community before a temporary crisis turns into long-term homelessness. Outreach workers say early help can keep people employed, in school and connected to health care and family support.
Christine Frederick, CEO of The Lord’s Place, said the goal is to shorten how long people stay homeless. Cristina Lucier, also with the organization, said the longer someone is on the street, the more likely they are to lose the connections that help them recover.
Devin Perry, who once lacked a stable place to sleep, said he entered the group’s culinary training program, secured housing and started working toward a job. Event founder Darren Wingate said he created the tournament to combine his love of golf with community giving.
