Port in the Storm Homeless Youth Center is celebrating six years of service with the inaugural Keys of Hope Gala, a fundraiser that directly supports unhoused youth in the community.
Port in the Storm provides critical services to unaccompanied young adults experiencing the devastating effects of housing insecurity. Keys of Hope Gala will be 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Ancient City Farmstead, 395 St. Marks Pond Blvd., St. Augustine.
“The Keys of Hope Gala is going to be a blast, but its core purpose is to support our critical work at Port in the Storm Homeless Youth Center,” said Joy Case, director of development at St. Augustine Society Inc. “It helps one of our most vulnerable populations, who are coping with very complex situations. Thanks to the support of our donors, 100% of the youth in our program are currently engaging in therapy, 85% are employed and several are working towards college and/or enlisting in the military. We don’t just feed our clients, let them stay a night and then send them back to the streets. Our professional staff works to create an individualized plan with long-term solutions to help them find safe, permanent and stable housing.”
Port in the Storm opened its doors in June 2019 with 16 beds. After consistently being over census, the St. Augustine Society added eight more beds in 2024. In 2025, an average of 28 to 32 youth stay at the center each night. Port in the Storm Homeless Youth Center does not turn away any unhoused youth, instead creating space utilizing cots to prevent them from sleeping on the streets. The program also helps provide a path forward through life skills training, job-readiness assistance, help in securing long-term housing and the support of a trusted adviser.
The Keys of Hope Gala guests can enjoy a spread by Bronx House Pizza, accompanied by a signature cocktail, beer and wine. The event features music, dancing, a silent and live auction and a key raffle where guests can purchase keys that may match a chest stuffed with treasures.
Event sponsors include Bronx House Pizza, Ancient City Farmstead, Ameris Bank, Ancient City Accounting and CVB Cares.
To purchase tickets, donate or inquire about sponsorships, go to stfrancisshelter.org/2025events.
“I grew up in an underprivileged family with an abusive father, so I would volunteer every day after school to get away from home,” says Bruno DiFabio, owner of Bronx House Pizza. “The St. Augustine Society is near and dear to my heart — we cook for them monthly and take any opportunity we can to be involved. I’m a huge advocate for being involved in the local community. We’re honored to help with the Keys of Hope Gala.”
