# Forward Paths Foundation

> Forward Paths Foundation helps homeless youth and those aging out of foster care achieve independence through community support and guidance in Lake County, Florida.

Forward Paths Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping homeless youth and those aging out of foster care achieve independence through community support and guidance in Lake County, Florida. The organization operates the Cottages on Grove micro-community in Eustis, Florida, providing housing for young adults.

## Mission & Vision

Forward Paths' mission is to positively influence at-risk youth and forever revolutionize their path to independence. The organization's vision is of a supportive community that aids these youths in acquiring housing, transportation, job skills, and other needed services that will direct them on a forward path to success.

## Core Values

Forward Paths encourages principles of fairness, social justice, and equality in relation to race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, social class, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, and all other identities represented among their diverse population.

## Focus Areas

1. **Acquiring Housing**: Focus on community's homeless unaccompanied youths and those aging out of foster care
2. **Job Skills**: Creating paths that lead to independence through employment preparation
3. **Education**: Supporting educational goals to help youth realize their potential

## Housing Program - Cottages on Grove

In 2024, Forward Paths Foundation opened Cottages on Grove, a micro-community of 10 cottages in Eustis, Florida, built in partnership with HomeAid Orlando. Each 600-square-foot cottage houses two youth. The property includes two additional houses donated by First United Methodist Church of Eustis, providing homes to seven more youth. Forward Paths also supports 14 young people in rental houses around the county, for a total of 41 beds.

The cottages are dedicated to the memory of Virginia Kirk Landstrom, who became part of the foster care system at age 5 and later experienced homelessness when aging out of care.

## Leadership Team

- **Denise Burry, Executive Director**: Certified Guardian Ad Litem, mother of eight, owns Burry's Pharmacy in Leesburg. Multiple community awards including Mayor's Award (2017), Humanitarian Award (2017), Community Service Award (2018), Anna H. Settles Leadership Award (2019), and WESH 2 Community Champion (2023).
- **Jacob Bonynge, President**: Founding board member, advocate for social justice and LGBT equality, Chair of Equality Florida's Greater Orlando Steering Committee.
- **Sharon Wooten, Vice President**: University of Florida psychology graduate, real estate professional, board member since inception.
- **Dr. Sara Hill, Secretary**: Doctoral degree in educational policy organization leadership, works at SuitUp, foster parent.
- **Andrew Haliday, Treasurer**: Finance degree from University of Mississippi, manages financial advisors serving Lake County.

## Staff & Specialists

- Madison Combs, Manager of Strategic Growth
- Ashley DeLoatch, Case Manager (raised in foster care system)
- Dr. Maggie Denk Silfies, LMHC, Clinical Director
- Arlene Golden, Office Manager and Grant Writer
- Keith Hart, Financial Manager
- Sharon Hamilton, Grants Coordinator
- Louise MacCallum, Volunteer Coordinator
- McKenna McArdle, Case Manager (US Air Force veteran)
- Bill Samples, Case Manager (Navy veteran, certified child welfare case manager)
- Linda Weekley, Financial Stability Specialist (45 years banking experience)

## Support Needed

Forward Paths constantly needs:
- Cleaning supplies, sheets, towels, and hygiene products
- Volunteers for mentoring and office support
- Financial donations (examples: $15 for birth certificate, $50 for driver's license, $100 for job uniforms, $1,000 monthly rent for 2 students, $10,000 annual support for one student)

## Pages

- [Home](https://forwardpaths.org/): Learn about Forward Paths Foundation's mission and vision
- [Mission](https://forwardpaths.org/mission): Detailed information about the organization's mission and Cottages on Grove
- [People](https://forwardpaths.org/people): Meet the leadership team, board members, and staff
- [Housing](https://forwardpaths.org/housing): Information about Cottages on Grove and housing programs
- [Donate](https://forwardpaths.org/donate): Ways to support the organization financially and through volunteering
- [Contact](https://forwardpaths.org/contact-us): Get in touch with Forward Paths Foundation

## Contact Information

- **Phone**: (352) 801-8631
- **Email**: info@forwardpaths.org
- **Location**: Lake County, Florida
- **Facebook**: https://www.facebook.com/ForwardPathsFoundationInc/
- **Registration**: Florida CH number CH39500