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Where Hope Began Former Hibiscus Youth Returns to Inspire Others

Nearly a decade has passed since Dashawn lived at Hibiscus Children’s Center, but some memories have never left him.   “I lived at Hibiscus almost a decade ago, and I still remember the smallest things that were important to me,” Dashawn shared.

Dashawn was 13 years old when he and his younger brother and sister were placed at the Hibiscus Shelter for five months following a difficult family situation. He still vividly remembers the long trip from West Palm Beach.  “We were fed and then went to sleep. Waking up the first day, we were just trying to get our bearings and understand what was happening,” he recalled. “We were all feeling scared.” 

Within a week, however, something began to change. Dashawn and his siblings no longer felt afraid. They began to feel safe—and he credits the Hibiscus staff for making that possible.  “They were definitely the rock that held us together,” Dashawn said. One supervisor, whom he calls “Mr. S,” became an especially important influence. “He was like a father figure to me. It was wonderful to have good role models who took us under their wings and showed us the right way to go. He listened, encouraged me and made me feel safe.”

For Dashawn, that sense of safety also meant having the freedom to work through difficult emotions without feeling pressured. Hibiscus staff created opportunities for the youth to talk about challenges and resolve issues together, while respecting when a child was not ready to share.

Dashawn and his siblings also received mental health therapy during their stay. He remembers his therapist allowing them to open up at their own pace.  “At one point, I felt comfortable enough to just speak what was in my heart,” he said. “She did a lot for me and helped me not worry about where I was going next.”

Now a young adult, Dashawn recently returned to the Hibiscus Shelter and reflected on the place that provided safety and stability during an uncertain chapter of his childhood. “Hibiscus gave me hope. Hope is the best word to describe it,” Dashawn shared. “The staff, the people who made our meals—all of them went out of their way to make us feel hope. They let us know they were there for us, whether we wanted to talk or not.”

Nearly a decade later, those moments still matter.   “I remember those small details,” Dashawn said.

Dashawn’s story is a powerful reminder that providing a child with safety, compassion and someone who believes in them can leave an impact that lasts long after they leave Hibiscus. Today, Dashawn is pursuing his Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management at IRSC while working at the IRSC Foundation. He has already earned an Associate of Arts degree in General History and plans to further his education with a master’s degree in Museum Studies. 

For more information about how you can help children like Dashawn, please visit us at HibiscusChildrensCenter.org.