2012 BB&T INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.

LIGHTHOUSE PROJECT

BBTIS in Charlotte, NC picked the Journey Place for their project.

This is a home for males that have been abandoned and placed into

foster care but have aged out of the system and have no place to

go. Without a home like this these boys would be homeless and

have no future.

Our goal was to create a place that felt like a real “home” and

volunteer our time. We provided mentorship, played sports, offered

advice, listened to their stories, helped them with resumes and

appropriate contacts to find jobs and taught them basic life skills

- things that one would typically learn from a parent.

WE HELD AN ICE CREAM SOCIAL AND ENCOURAGED

EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE.

THEN WE DISCUSSED THE PROJECT AND DESIGN PLANS WITH THE RESIDENTS.

CLEAN UP THE HOUSE

THEN WE BROUGHT IN THE NEW!

Everyday the residence saw a delivery truck pull up, they would run outside like it was Christmas.

THE RESIDENTS HELPED US PUT IT ALL

TOGETHER

Along the way we taught them basic life skills, like putting together furniture, measuring, hanging

curtains and pictures etc.

WE ADDED SOME

FINISHING TOUCHES TO MAKE IT

FEEL MORE “HOMEY”

WE HOSTED A COOK OUT WHERE WE LEARNED MORE ABOUT

EACH RESIDENT AND HOW WE CAN HELP THEM IN LIFE…

We also stocked their cabinets , supplied the residents with basic kitchen utensils & appliances

and taught them hot to cook, plan meals . We also created a personalized cookbook for each of

them.

WE SHOT SOME HOOPS!

WE MENTORED AND COACHED THEM

AND HELPED THEM WITH APPROPRIATE

CONTACTS REGARDING JOBS, SCHOOL

AND LIFE.

TALK, LAUGH, HAVE FUN…

FINAL VISIT…These young men have

basically been

abandoned all their

lives so we have made

future plans to keep in

contact. Going forward,

there will be a

basketball rematch and

we want to attend some

of their games to cheer

them on. We have

identified each young

man’s hopes for the

future and we are

actively trying to help

them get jobs and

training in their areas of

interest. We will have

monthly dinners to

continue teaching them

basic kitchen skills and

to continue building on

the relationships that

we have started.

This project not only touched the current residents of the house, but we have

set it up so future residents have a more productive and comfortable

environment for an easier transition into independent living. In addition we

have assembled starter/move out kits for the residents that include basic

kitchen and bathroom items that will alleviate some of the stress one faces

when moving out on their own.

Not only were we able to fulfill the original plans of this project but we went

above and beyond. The intangible reward in what actually happened with

this project is priceless. The young men not only came out of their shells

and opened up but they learned lifelong skills that they may not have learned

anywhere else and developed a unique relationship with each of us. BBTIS

really gave these young men the confidence that people truly care about

them.

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO

DONATED THEIR TIME.

We had over 50 volunteers and put in

more than 340 hours….