News

Naples, FL (April 17, 2020)

With 73 beds for children and teens ages 6 – 19 that have been removed from their home due to abuse, abandonment, neglect or are homeless, Youth Haven has been offering yoga classes on its therapeutic campus since November 2013. The classes are taught by volunteers Gina Monteiro, Victoria Moore and Skylar Rosas. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Youth Haven closed its campus to all outside visitors but found a way to continue its weekly yoga session through virtual classes. The virtual classes allow the instructors to provide positive insights and guide the students into proper pose alignment with verbal cues and on-screen demonstrations.

Many of the children that arrive at Youth Haven are traumatized, in need of immediate counseling and a place where they feel safe. Our Yoga program is an extension of our therapy program. All classes include breath work, guided relaxation, positive affirmations to replace negative thinking, and yoga postures for balance, strength, flexibility, and focus.

The classes are fun and age appropriate. In a recent virtual class for our elementary school-aged children, the teachers wore silly hats and practiced bunny breath, bumblebee breath, snake breath, and elephant breath together. Yoga class should be a fun time for them and the instructors encourage them to express themselves creatively in class.

When asked why it’s important that they continue with the yoga classes during this time, Gina Monteiro responded, “We feel that yoga is a practice, and one must continue the practice to evolve.  We share with the students that when we are on our mats we are practicing respecting ourselves as well as others. On our mats we are practicing the choice for peace, love, positivity, and courage. In yoga we choose connection and community instead of fear and separation.  The world is practicing isolation right now, but isolation does not need to mean separation. We come together to practice as a community, and if that means going virtual to continue our yoga together then we are all for it!”

“Our children and teens have been severely traumatized and we strive to provide them with a sense of normalcy in their lives,” said Jinx Liggett, Youth Haven Executive Director. “We’re so grateful that we have found a way to continue our yoga classes virtually and our volunteer yoga instructors are committed making this transition successful. Yoga is such an instrumental part of our therapeutic campus and our kids simply love the classes!”

If you have any questions, please contact Laura Lafakis at 239-687-5175 or Laura.Lafakis@youthhavenswfl.org.

Naples, FL (April 2, 2020)

With social restrictions in place due to COVID-19, Youth Haven addressed communication challenges that faced the children and teens that call Youth Haven home. With school campuses closed until May 1, 2020 and Youth Haven’s campus closed to outside visitors, it was of utmost importance to have a continuity plan in place.

Hunger & Homeless Coalition of Collier County was contacted and generously purchased 30 new laptops for Youth Haven’s children and teens. The laptops will be used for virtual learning and other academic reasons. Thanks to a prior donation from the Elizabeth K. Galeana Foundation, each child and teen now has a Kindle Fire that allows for video visits with the youth’s case managers, therapists, the psychiatrist, and any additional approved visits.

Michael Overway, Homeless & Hunger Coalition Executive Director, stated, “I wanted to make sure our children have the tools to succeed during these difficult times. Hunger & Homeless Coalition is donating to our wonderful Collier County’s Continuum of Care partner!”

“We’re so grateful for the donation of laptops so our children and teens can be successful in their virtual learning endeavors. With Youth Haven being a therapeutic campus, communication with their case managers and others is also crucial so the Kindles have proven to be a huge asset,” said Jinx Liggett, Youth Haven Executive Director. “Hunger & Homeless Coalition of Collier County and the Elizabeth K. Galeana Foundation are both amazing partners!”

If you have any questions, please contact Laura Lafakis at 239-687-5175 or Laura.Lafakis@youthhavenswfl.org.

Naples, FL (March 17, 2020)

Youth Haven, Inc. is pleased to welcome Lynda M. Waterhouse, Campus President of Keiser University (Naples) to their Board of Directors, effective February 19, 2020.

“Youth Haven is honored to have Lynda join our Board of Directors,” said Jinx Liggett, Youth Haven’s Executive Director. “Her years of professional experience and dedication to giving back to the local community will be a huge benefit to both our organization and the countless abandoned, abused and homeless children and teens that we support”

About Lynda M. Waterhouse, CPA, DHA, FACMPE
Currently, Lynda Waterhouse is the campus president for Keiser University-Naples, Keiser University’s twenty-first campus in the state of Florida.  Previously, Lynda served as CFO, COO, and President/CEO of Wolford College. In addition to the responsibilities at Wolford College, Lynda had served as the Executive Director of Collier Anesthesia, PA for 23 years. Lynda is a Certified Public Accountant and before working in the medical field, had worked as Vice President/Assistant Controller for a large New York financial services company. Lynda has served as an officer on the Leadership Collier Foundation Board, the Collier County Hunger and Homeless Coalition, the Florida Anesthesia Administrator’s Association, Wolford College, and Collier Anesthesia.  She has volunteered on the NCH Hospital Ball Committee, been Co-Vice Chair, and Co-Chair of Leadership Collier Class of 2015 and 2016, and currently serves on the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce Finance Committee.

Youth Haven 2019 – 2020 Board Members
Youth Haven’s 2019 – 2020 Board Members consists of Brenda O’Connor, President; Erin Brahms, Vice President; Patrick Arnall, Treasurer; Jessica Santella, Secretary; Chief Stephanie Spell, Immediate Past President; Jackie Balandra; Mary Beth Johns; Christina Linaberry; Pamela Lundborg, Associate; Bradford K. Marshall; Evelyn McKoan; Denise Murphy; Mike Prioletti and Christopher Raphael.

Honorary Lifetime Trustees
Youth Haven’s Honorary Lifetime Trustees consists of Carol Boyd, Lamar Gable, Lavern N. Gaynor, Frances Pew Hayes and Sheriff Kevin Rambosk.

Naples, FL (February 18, 2020)

Youth Haven’s Annual Soiree on the Strip, held on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples (Beach) was a resounding success, raising over $550,000 to support the children & teens that call Youth Haven home. This elegant evening out on the town featured dinner, cocktails, entertainment, dancing, casino games and more!

Event co-chairs were Doug Olsen, Director of Marketing/Aesthetics Derm Instructor of Philip Douglas & Co.; Philip Douglas, Creative Director of Philip Douglas & Co.; and Jackie Ressa, owner of Jacqueline Ressa Interior. Media sponsor was Naples Illustrated.

“We’re grateful for everyone that supported Soiree on the Strip,” said Jinx Liggett, Youth Haven Executive Director. “It was definitely an unforgettable evening!”