OCEAN COUNTY – For Tiffany M. deSousa, now 40, securing a federal grant to open a youth shelter for runaway and homeless youth couldn’t be more personal. More than two decades ago, Tiffany ran away from home and credits a trusted teacher and the safe haven she found at Ocean’s Harbor House with saving her life.
Now, as the founder of “Choose Love. Celebrate Life.” (CLCL) Foundation, Tiffany plans to bring that same vital resource back to Ocean and Monmouth Counties. Earlier this month, CLCL announced that it has been awarded a federal Basic Center Program (BCP) grant to provide emergency housing for local runaway and homeless youth under the age of 18. The shelter, scheduled to open in January 2025, will offer twelve beds with four funded by the federal grant.
“I believe having a place to go saves lives,” said Tiffany. “I believe if I did not go there (to Harbor House) that night, I would be dead.”
A little more than a year ago, Ocean’s Harbor House announced its intentions to transform one of its properties that housed youth temporarily on an emergency basis to a family shelter. Their second location continues to serve as a supervised transitional living program for abandoned and vulnerable youths, aged 16-21.
The law giving safe haven to youth that run away has had some changes since it was first enacted as the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act in 1974. One big difference is the length of time a runaway or homeless youth can stay in the shelter. When Tiffany left her adopted mother’s home and sought refuge, the law allowed her to stay for 14 days. Time limitations have now expanded to 21 days.
Basic Center Programs grants that are in effect next year only cover locations in Bridgewater, Camden, Hackensack, Jersey City and Trenton. Tiffany believes distance could create a tremendous problem for runaways and place them in dangerous situations, including the threat of human trafficking.
Not every runaway who presents at a BCP does so because of abuse in their home, meaning that not all cases warrant notification to New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency. However, centers are required to let family members know when a minor comes to them for safe haven. On occasion, centers act as a place to calm down after a heated argument in the household.
A Tale Of Sadness And Resilience
Tiffany M. deSousa shared her personal story, detailing her early life marked by tragedy and abuse. Her birth mother died when she was just three weeks old, and her birth father took Tiffany and her older brothers across the country.
“He was an evil man who engaged in every kind of abuse you can imagine,” said Tiffany. “He did things like killing animals so that you would know he had no problem killing you.”
The young woman said that after a bad night of drinking in 1990, he began to hurt her. Tiffany was just six years old and rescued by her stepmother. The woman left in the middle of the night with her own children as she feared for her own life and felt she had no other options.
Tiffany’s father was reported to Child Protective Services in New Mexico, where they lived at the time. Reports that he had sexually abused his daughter only added to the claims of physical and psychological violence.
Ultimately, Tiffany was adopted by her maternal aunt and uncle, who lived in Northern New Jersey. She described “Pappy” as a man who showed her great love for the first time in her life. Jose deSousa died in 1995, when Tiffany was just 11 years old.
After Jose’s death, the family relocated a few more times. Desperate, Tiffany sought out counseling services on her own while she was in boarding school in Virginia. The idea of seeking help for emotional problems was something unheard-of and frowned upon. Yet, Tiffany was a child with severe PTSD who absolutely needed professional intervention.
The family came back to New Jersey, spending a summer in Woodbridge and eventually moving to Toms River. Tiffany met the late Andrea C. Viggiano, her journalism teacher, when she was a sophomore at Toms River South.
“I was restricted most of my life and not allowed to even ride bikes outside,” said Tiffany. “There was always concern that my biological father would try to kidnap me.”
As Tiffany spent more time with her trusted teacher, she began to open up to her about her struggles. Viggiano was a good listener and helped Tiffany find professional help at an outreach program Harbor House facilitated.
“I ran away on December 3, 2001, after a very bad night,” Tiffany shared. “It was the day after Pappy’s death anniversary.”
The argument between Tiffany and her adoptive mother escalated to the point that Tiffany lashed out in defiance. When she was told to turn the music down in her room, she turned it to full volume. Tiffany’s adoptive mother inadvertently cut her foot as she tried to pull out an extension cord. She left to get checked out at the hospital with Tiffany sobbing beyond control.
“I called Andrea, and she said that she had never heard me like that,” said Tiffany, “Something in my voice made her feel like she had to come get me.”
The caring teacher made sure that Tiffany left a note with her phone number in the house. When the call came in accusing Viggiano of harboring a runaway, the two decided to go to the place that allowed runaways a safe space without any legal issues.
In the end, Viggiano continued to advocate for Tiffany and took over her guardianship. It was a wonderful experience and one that brought back fond memories.
Harbor House helped Tiffany during those painful days in 2001. They later helped provide Tiffany with rental assistance when she and her then-boyfriend moved in together. Tiffany worked for Harbor House as a residential counselor on three subsequent occasions. There’s something to be said for experience being the best teacher.
It took several years for Tiffany to graduate with three separate degrees, all with high honors. Her educational pursuits were interrupted by physical illness. An Ocean County College and Stockton University graduate, Tiffany earned a master’s degree this year from Montclair State University in Child Advocacy and Policy.
When Tiffany decided to pursue her goal to make a difference in children’s lives, she could think of no better name than the mantra repeated by her most trusted confidant. Andrea Viggiano said it best to her – Choose Love. Celebrate Life.
About CLCL
DeSousa’s founding team at CLCL Foundation includes individuals with deep experience in youth services. Lisa Scala, the organization’s Board Treasurer, worked at Harbor House for 23 years and was the counselor who completed deSousa’s intake paperwork the night she ran away. Other key team members include Leslie Brower, an art teacher and former residential counselor, and Kelsy Wetmore, a Licensed Professional Counselor dedicated to supporting at-risk youth.
Kathleen DeLorme, Community Liaison, also has 23 years of experience at Harbor House, and Jennifer Santa Maria, an artist and Master of Arts Teacher in Art Education and specializing with students with disabilities, have also joined the organization. Two advisory board members will also serve as tremendous assets.
Together, the team brings over 57 years of experience working with vulnerable youth populations, ensuring the new shelter, named The Tree House Program, will provide trauma-informed care, case management, and family support.
The organization has partnered with Hearts Wide Open Homes, LLC to locate and maintain the property that will be used to shelter vulnerable youth. Company representative Daniel Delice said his group is looking to invest in property in the northern part of Ocean County to make the shelter accessible for Monmouth County residents.
“We’re looking to purchase a five-bedroom home,” said Delice. “I am personally doing everything in my power to work with other partners and allocate all possible resources to make this come to fruition.”
CLCL Foundation’s comprehensive approach also includes a “Warm Line” for crisis support, Community Groups, and Home Share Solutions aimed at preventing homelessness among young adults aged 18 to 24. These programs are designed to empower youth and families in crisis, bridging the gap to vital resources and fostering long-term stability.
“Problems have solutions,” deSousa explained. “Research and best practices show that Basic Center Programs protect runaway youth from danger on the streets, from the need to sleep on sofas, and from trafficking risks that occur within 48 hours of running away from home.”
“Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for youth in crisis,” deSousa said. “But community-driven change does not happen without community involvement. We’re inviting everyone to join us in building this safe space where our youth can grow, heal, and thrive.”
For more information about CLCL Foundation and its programs, visit their website at CLCLFoundation.org.
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