The vision of providing additional housing for a stable and supportive environment for at-risk youth aging out of foster care in Eustis is nearing reality as the “Cottages On Grove” project is almost complete. Forward Paths Foundation, in collaboration with HomeAid Orlando, is addressing a few minor delays as they push towards a move-in date by August.

As with all projects, a few unforeseen issues have crept in. The driveway needs to be widened to accommodate a dumpster on site, a couple of appliances are not working, and the internet is not yet up and running. Despite these setbacks, the project is on track to have residents move in by August, in time for the new school year.

The “Cottages On Grove” community, situated on a two-acre site donated by the First United Methodist Church of Eustis, will offer a safe haven for up to 20 clients of Forward Paths Foundation. Each of the 610 sq. ft. cottages, or tiny homes, will have two bedrooms and one bathroom, designed to help residents cultivate essential life skills and embrace self-sufficiency.

Forward Paths Foundation President Jacob Bonynge highlighted the importance of the cottages.

“These are going to be a launching point for them to learn how to live independently,” he said. “Just enough space for them to learn how to keep a home and live independently.”

The ribbon cutting was held in early June, but Forward Paths Executive Director Denise Burry emphasized that although the project is nearly complete, the need to assistance is ever-growing.

“We are currently at capacity with how many youth we can take in, with a growing waiting list,” she says. “This will allow for 11 more youth to be in our program, but we need the continued support of the community to keep going.”

Youth currently in the program will be the first to move in to the new cottages, with plans to renovate existing housing afterward.

For more information or to support the project, visit Forward Paths Foundation’s website.