Park Place Outreach Youth Emergency Shelter has announced the launch of a new transitional living program and the hiring of Cheri Dean as the Program Director.

The Transitional Living Program is an 18-month residential program that prepares homeless, runaway, and at-risk males ages 16 to 21 for independence and self-sufficiency.

To fund the program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Family Youth Services Bureau, has awarded Park Place Outreach an annual grant of $180,000 for the next three years.

“Adding this program to our array of services fills a significant service gap by providing housing, long-term stabilization and support services to runaway and homeless young men who cannot immediately be reunited with their families and need support to achieve independence,” said Executive Director Julie Wade.

Wade said as many as five young men would be able to participate in the program at any one time. They will live in a furnished three- or four-bedroom home within a short walk of both the home and public transportation. Staff will provide on-site supervision, and each young man will receive an individualized service plan that identifies his specific needs, strengths and interests.

“Our goal is to ensure each young man will be able to achieve a personal level of well being, positive and permanent connections, educational advancement and gainful employment,” Wade said. “We further expect the transitional living program to reduce costs to the community through savings in social service programs, incarceration and mental health treatment.”

Park Place Outreach partners with a program in Brunswick, Ga., to provide similar services to runaway and homeless females.

All services are provided free, including a safe, secure place to stay along with meals and transportation to and from school. The expanded transitional living program addresses a critical need for a longer-term program that serves young males.

As the Program Director, Dean will be responsible for providing oversight and management of the program and its daily activities, management of staff and volunteers, ensuring the conditions of housing and the grounds are maintained, as well as, monitoring security and conducting inspections in the living quarters. She will also serve as the Personal Development Life Coach and support participants with academic and career goals, personal growth, behavior modification and practical skills for success.

“By working with a dedicated team, these young men will gain essential life skills, case management services, and aftercare services that will help them experience and sustain a purpose-filled life,” said Dean. “I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to this important work at Park Place Outreach, and our Savannah community is always invited to join us partner with us in addressing homelessness in our city.”

Previously, Dean has served as the Executive Director of Blooming Hearts LLC, a licensed Maryland Assisted Living Facility. She also served in various sales, marketing, corporate branding, project management and recruitment roles in several Fortune 500 companies, including General Mills, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark and the Ford Motor Company.

Originally from Savannah, Dean is a graduate of St. Vincents Academy, who went on to earn a BA in Economics at Spelman College, an MBA at Duke University, and an MPH at Johns Hopkins University. She has been appointed to the 2019 SEDA (Savannah Economic Development Authority) board of directors.