LUTZ, Fla. – For nearly 30 years, Joshua House has been a safe haven for abused, neglected, and abandoned children.
The facility has been closed for months for renovations, and about $125,000 in donations is still needed to finish them.
What You Need To Know
- Joshua House needs more donations to complete renovation
- The safe haven for abused and neglected children has been closed for months
- Learn more about Joshua House here
So far, the activity room is almost complete.
“In here we do sewing classes, we do budgeting classes, we do music classes, drum circles, and everything you can possibly imagine that might enrich the lives of a child who has been abused, abandoned, or neglected,” Executive Director DeDe Grundel said.
Around the corner, you’ll find an updated learning center with computers, a library, and study space.
“It’s essentially where the tutors from USF College of Education come to help our kids remediate and help them catch up academically,” she said.
When you walk outside, you’ll see all five homes on the property are being renovated from top to bottom.
They are about 3,200 square feet with modern and comfortable decor for up to 12 children at once.
“I think the most important thing about Joshua House is that the healing starts at the door. It starts with where they live. The rooms – all of this – is part of a therapeutic process, and it’s part of their continuum of care. So for them, it’s a matter of not just finding a safe place to stay, but also a healing place,” Grundel said.
Joshua House is hosting a large bowling fundraiser this weekend to help raise money to finish the renovations.