The Windsor Clubhouse recently served as the backdrop for a poignant evening as the Homeless Children’s Foundation marked a decade of service in Indian River County. The unusually frigid weather outside offered a stark, real-time reminder of the harsh realities faced by hundreds of local children who sleep in vehicles and lack a permanent place to call home.
Supporters layered up against the dropping temperatures for outdoor cocktails and a round of glow golf before moving inside for a family-style dinner to honor the non-profit’s expanding mission. Founded ten years ago by Vin Ryan and Carla Meyer as a grassroots initiative aimed at helping just 20 to 25 children, the Homeless Children’s Foundation has rapidly expanded to meet the escalating needs of the Vero Beach area, ultimately serving 515 children in 2024.
Board member Mark Stephan opened the evening with a sobering reflection on the hidden crisis within the Treasure Coast community. Stephan candidly admitted he was once unaware of the sheer scope of local homelessness until a pivotal conversation prompted him to visit the Walmart parking lot on State Road 60 after dark. He was stunned to see numerous parents organizing their vehicles to serve as makeshift bedrooms for their children. He also recalled discovering a family taking shelter in a storage room at a CVS near the Wabasso bridge.
According to the Indian River Community Foundation’s Community Needs Assessment, the area recorded 655 homeless children in 2025—a 15 percent spike from the previous year. With ongoing housing affordability challenges in Vero Beach and the surrounding county, these numbers are projected to climb.
Hannah Hite, the foundation’s executive director, challenged the audience to rethink their perception of homelessness. She emphasized that the community’s “invisible” homeless population often consists of hard-working parents, infants, toddlers, and individuals fleeing domestic violence. She asked attendees to imagine the heavy burden of choosing between paying basic utility bills and buying substantial food.
The event also highlighted the tangible, life-changing impact of the organization’s work through a powerful testimonial. A local mother named Mel shared her journey of escaping an abusive relationship and finding herself homeless with her children. By stepping forward and asking for help, her family was transformed.
Through the foundation’s support, Mel’s children were enrolled in local programs, granting her the time necessary to rebuild her career. Today, Mel is proudly employed at Cleveland Clinic and has been free from abuse for four years.
The foundation provides crucial financial support to give children a sense of normalcy while enabling their parents to work and secure stable housing. Their funding covers:
- Summer camps that keep children safe and engaged while parents work.
- After-school care programs to bridge the gap between school and the end of the workday.
- Extracurricular activities, such as local sailing programs and track.
The evening concluded with a successful call to action led by auctioneer John Moore, who reminded attendees that a $2,000 donation can fully support one child for an entire year. Driven by a flurry of pledges and a generous matching grant, the community’s commitments secured approximately 40 percent of the foundation’s annual operating budget, ensuring this vital local organization can continue its fight against childhood homelessness in Indian River County.
