Dillon is a current resident of Villages of Hope and an alumnus of Place of Hope. Dillon’s life journey is a remarkable story of resilience and triumph. He entered the foster care system in middle school due to problems at home that ultimately led to his mother being incarcerated.
“I had a lot of inconsistency at home,” Dillon recalled. “There was not a lot of stability for many years. My parents would argue every night and I was never sure how the next day would go.” His life took a positive turn when he found a new home at Place of Hope’s Paxson Campus in Palm Beach Gardens.
“Once I got to Place of Hope, I found stability,” Dillon said. “I found that I was able to have the same routine day in and day out and got to build up habits that I really appreciated over time.”
Dillon experienced a safe and nurturing environment, where he not only received shelter but also vital support services, including counseling, therapy, tutoring and life-skills training. The environment and resources helped Dillon overcome his past challenges and develop a positive outlook for the future. The impactful individuals he encountered at Place of Hope left lasting impressions on him and contributed much to his personal growth. Reflecting on his time at Place of Hope, he fondly remembers the impact of his cottage parents.
Witnessing his cottage dad’s dedication to running every morning sparked Dillon’s interest in fitness, leading him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in college.
“Even when I turned 18 and aged-out of foster care, my Place of Hope cottage parents helped me move into the dorms at Florida Atlantic University,” Dillon said.
Unlike most students, after COVID-19 shut down the dorms at college, Dillon did not have a “home” to go to. We were able to move him into our Villages of Hope program on our Leighan and David Rinker Campus in Boca Raton, where he gained access to affordable, transitional, and stable housing. He has been working hard, saving his money, purchased a car, and completed his bachelor’s degree! Today, Dillon works as a stretch practitioner at Stretch Zone, where he helps to improve clients’ quality of life.
“Growing up, I had a lot of adults let me down,” Dillon said. “They weren’t good role models. But then I continued to encounter mentors at Place of Hope and Villages of Hope like Mr. Doug, Mr. Tim and Mr. Trey who showed me there are a lot of good people in my corner. A lot of generous and compassionate people. That really set me down a whole different path in my life.”
Dillon’s journey is not only about personal growth, but also about breaking generational cycles. Inspired by the positive role models he encountered at Place of Hope, he aspires to build a loving and nurturing family in the future, creating a supportive environment and ensuring a brighter future for generations to come. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that we all can have in the lives of individuals, helping them overcome adversity and achieve their full potential.
“Looking back at myself as a middle school kid, I didn’t imagine anything like this for myself,” Dillon recalled. “I never thought I could get to a level where I’m proud of where I’m at. There’s so much more to come.”