When thousands of children and families in Palm Beach County hit a crisis, HomeSafe is often the first call. On this milestone 50th episode, host Michael Nathanson welcomes Matthew Ladika, CEO of HomeSafe, and Amanda Stone, LMHC, the organization's Chief Operations Officer, for a candid conversation about what it truly takes to protect children and rebuild lives in South Florida.

Matthew walks through HomeSafe's full range of services: four specialized therapeutic group homes for youth with significant trauma histories across Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach; their domestic violence program Safety Net; and Pond Place, an independent living facility near Palm Beach State College for young adults aging out of the foster care system. In one small but telling moment from the episode, Matthew describes a young man from their program who stopped by the office on the way to his own high school graduation, needing someone to help him tie his tie.

Amanda brings the clinical lens, talking about her background as a licensed mental health counselor and how a trauma-informed, strength-based philosophy shapes every program HomeSafe runs. The conversation also covers their Healthy Beginnings birth-to-five program, which reaches nearly every new family born in Palm Beach County, and a new initiative to help childcare directors and teachers better support children with challenging behaviors before they face expulsion.

The episode also explores a shared connection to the Y: Matthew spent six years at YMCA of the USA in Chicago before coming to Palm Beach County, while host Michael Nathanson currently serves as board chair of the YMCA of Boca Raton and hosts Shoot for a Change, his annual two-day basketball fundraiser benefiting the Y's financial assistance program. HomeSafe's signature Classic Rock and Roll Party returns January 30, 2027 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, featuring Billy Joel guitarist Mike DelGuidice. Volunteers are welcome for Safety Net groups on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. To learn more or connect with HomeSafe, visit helphomesafe.org or call 561-383-9800.

Contact Michael Nathanson:
Email: Michael@soldbythebros.com
Website: https://soldbythebros.com/