NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Tucked away in a North Charleston neighborhood, Explorer Drive is a cul-de-sac with what a Lowcountry couple feels is quite a fitting name, given the journey they’re about to begin there with four currently homeless boys who attend Stall High School.
In just three weeks, the four boys finally will have a place on Explorer Drive to call their own, thanks to the work of Project H.O.M.E., an initiative to help displaced high school students in the North Charleston area.
Lisa Carey, who will serve as house parent to the boys alongside her husband, David, believes the street name is perfect.
“I love the street name,” said Carey. “We are on an adventure and we get to team up with four lives.”Lisa and Davide have been married for 28 years, and have a grown son. They say helping displaced children is their calling — something they’ve been doing for 20 plus years.”
There are kids everywhere that when they wake up they don’t know where a meal is coming from.,” Lisa said. “They don’t know where a hot shower is coming from, but this is a beginning. Kids know and can wake up and say, ‘Ah, I have a place.'”
“We are at a place in our lives that we believe has been ordained for this time,” David said.
The boys will be at least 17, and on track to graduate from Stall High School. They’ll be chosen by Charleston County School District officials in the coming days.
“We don’t know exactly what the circumstances of their life has been and what has brought them to this place, so I think they will need a lot of reassuring,” added David.
Just three months ago, district officials, the mayor, and others broke ground on the home, which was built thanks to donors and the community.
“It is an excellent opportunity to affect this community, not only these boy’s lives but this whole neighborhood to be effected,” David said. The Careys’ even traded in their truck for a new ride. Lisa says her new minivan will be perfect to shuttle the boys to and from school and activities.
“I didn’t think I would have a minivan at this age, but I am back to a minivan and very happy to do it,” Lisa said, smiling. “There is going to be transformation and I can’t wait to see the transformation of these children.”
The Carey’s say there is a long term goal to also have a house for homeless Stall High School girls. Last year, there were 17 homeless students enrolled at Stall, school officials say.
Source: Homeless Stall High students will have a place of their own when school begins this fall | WCIV
