ABOUT US
Welcome to Help2Others! I’m Mike Bunkley, founder, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to learn about us.
At Help2Others, our mission is to bridge the gap between an overburdened foster care system and the young people who age out at 18. While some may continue to receive limited benefits until age 22, many must suddenly find housing and support themselves. Unfortunately, some lose benefits at 18 and face homelessness. That’s the challenge we’re here to address.
Now, we have defined the problem! So let me introduce you to my village and how we work on solutions.
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I primarily work with three organizations: A Kids Place, Ready For Life, and Grow into You. These three organizations play a vital role in supporting foster care kids, from foster care to providing post-foster care resources by bridging gaps where traditional systems fall short. Together, they provide safety, stability, and opportunity.​
​Ten years ago, I started helping at A Kids Place in Brandon, Florida where I grew up. What is unique about AKP is that their model allows them to keep siblings together when they’ve had to be removed from their home. Nothing makes a bad situation worse than being separated from your brothers and sisters while being pulled from your home. When any sibling groups have to be removed from their home in Hillsborough County, AKP gets the call. The AKP model has evolved over the years, to now include looking after some of these kids passed the age of eighteen.
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Ready For Life Pinellas in Pinellas County, is a model that specifically works with foster kids who have aged out of foster care and are now on their own. They provide a multitude of resources from a place to take a shower and get something to eat to programs designed to help get these kids ready for life.
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The Grow Into You Foundation was established in Brandon, Fl by Erin Crawford. I met Erin and her husband a few years ago and they are working with youth that have aged also but also foster kids in their home. And I love people who put their money where their mouth is.
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So, how does Help2Others fit in? Well, even with all the hard work going on every day, these kids and young adults need mentors. People like you and me who can help them navigate the world.
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I love helping people. Lucky for me, I also know the number one rule of helping: It Takes a Village! Discover how you can join my Village.
