THE CYGNET HOUSE PROJECT                              2010

The Junior League of Central & North Brevard (JLCNB) has elected to build Cygnet House, a group foster care home in an effort to enhance the life experience of children who have been placed in the FL State custody, Department of Children and Families because of abuse, neglect or abandonment. 

Key aspects of this project are as follows: 

    ·         Cygnet House will provide a home for children ages 13 to 17 years of age who have been placed in  the foster care system in Brevard County, Florida.  Finding placement for the older children and adoption is often more difficult.  These children will be “aging out” of the foster care system when they turn 18.  Far too often these children have been shuffled around various foster care homes with only their basic needs being met.  Through no fault of their own they have lacked the support that a stable connected healthy family would normally provide to prepare them as they begin their adult lives on their own.  Cygnet House will provide the stability and support that these young adults need before they do “age out” of foster care. This intervention is crucial, too many of the children that have “aged out” of foster care with no plan for the future.

    ·                           Cygnet House will be a new construction “Green Build” which will insure a safe and healthy
        home where children can stay as long as necessary and will be the first child welfare project in the US to
        be seeking LEED Platinum Certification.  The home will be built in central Brevard County, Florida.                    

·                           The green build will reduce exposure to hazardous and toxic chemicals found in building materials, paints, and furnishings, which all have been proven to lead to respiratory and other illnesses in children. The residents of this healthy home will live in a safe, non-toxic, natural environment. 

·                           Reducing the long term costs on energy, water, and maintenance thereby allowing more monies to be directly used for the children.

·                 The home design will cut energy and water use by 30% - 50%, by using a combination of alternative energy sources, Solar Energy, Solar Hot Water, Energy Star Labeled appliances, SJRWMD-Florida Water Star criteria, selecting water efficient plumbing fixtures, and utilizing a rain water catchment system for the irrigation of the vegetable garden.

·                 Keep the home operational when external utilities are interrupted.

·                     Decreasing overall impact on the environment.

The building of this home will open an opportunity for some environmental education such as:  

•              Agricultural (gardening) 

•              Natural wildlife habitat

•              Water conservation

•              Energy conservation

•              Good stewards of the land

•              Composting

•              Recycling

The JLCNB has acquired land in the Central Brevard area through a donation of 2.3 acres, from The Viera Company. Cygnet House will be a “Green Build” 7000 sq. ft. and cost approximately $150.00 per square foot.

The Brevard Branch of the USGBC-Central Florida Chapter has selected Cygnet House as their "Legacy Project”. This sponsorship is assisting us by providing a Team of Experts that are facilitating this project in the planning, management, design, construction, and the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification of this much needed home. Building a LEED Certified home is to create a new standard for a clean, healthy, sustainable, economical, and environmentally friendly home for foster children in Brevard County. Cygnet House will be the first foster care home seeking LEED Certification in the U.S.

The Junior League of Central & North Brevard is a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Corporation.  We would happily accept your tax-deductible donation at any giving level.  Contributions can be donated by a corporation or individual(s) by cash or check made out to JLCNB at:

JLCNB

ATTN: Cygnet House

240 Parnell St.

Merritt Island, Fl 32953 

Additionally we would gladly accept any and all In-Kind donations that would help us complete this “Green Build”.

Please contact Linda Molica, Cygnet House Chairman for additional gift giving levels,

additional information or questions at 321/453-5718 or mamolica@hotmail.com