EUSTIS, Fla. — A Lake County transitional housing program that helps homeless teens and young adults who have aged out of the foster system is expanding.

Forward Paths now has 10 new tiny home-style cottages in Eustis to provide a safe place for people as they finish high school and begin their adult lives.

One recipient said his family kicked him out of his house when he turned 18 after he came out as gay to his family two years prior.

“I felt alone. I felt empty. I felt heartbroken. It was like my first heartbreak,” Charles Jones said.

“I was at a Thanksgiving gathering with all my family, and everyone just attacked me, actually," Jones said. "Everyone just dragged me. I was thinking they would be very accepting of me, they would still love me. But it was the total opposite.”

Jones, who recently graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average, is now packing up the bags of his past and looking toward a brighter future, thanks to Forward Paths.

With the growing need of homeless youths in the community, the program needed more housing.

“About nine years ago, we decided we would build tiny homes, not knowing where that would be," said Denise Burry, executive director of Forward Paths. "We were gifted this property and closed in 2019. We moved ahead without plans, of course. Shortly after that was COVID. But here we are."

As for Jones, he’s already moving into his new home and is working toward becoming a licensed practical nurse. He’s also getting to know his roommate Cole, as they both take on new lives as young adults.

“I wasn’t used to the love and attention. They check up on me every day," Jones said of Forward Paths staffers. "I wasn’t used to that. It was a big change. I love the change as I’m finding my way through life.”

Forward Paths is always looking for volunteers and donors. The organization's leaders said they hope to continue the project all the way to Leesburg. For more information, visit https://forwardpaths.org/.