Jeff Faine
Entrepreneur, real estate investor, restaurateur, philanthropist – even union representative. Other professional athletes have been similarly tagged. Somehow, Tampa Bay Buccaneer center, Jeff Faine, stands out. Could it be his shaved head? Maybe. Could it be his business acumen? Possibly. But most likely, it’s his sense of commitment to the community. He loves Orlando and continues to make an impact on his hometown.
Adopted as an infant by naval officer, Lee Faine, and his wife, Finnis, Jeff wants to ensure that kids who weren’t as fortunate as he was to have been adopted have a place to call home. Particularly disturbing to him are the unadopted kids who, at age 18, age out of foster care. A recent article in the Orlando Sentinel pointed to some alarming statistics: statewide, 44% of foster care children are never adopted and, within three years of aging out, 33% of former foster teens will be on the streets, literally homeless.
In partnership with the Children’s Home Society, Jeff has made it his mission to provide transitional housing for these teens facing homelessness. In addition to personally pledging over a half million dollars, Faine has been relentless in his attempt to raise funds to see this vision become reality. The Faine House will provide housing, positive encouragement, guidance, and life skills training. Resident advisors will help these kids focus on education and employment, to prepare them for independence.
"These kids [who come to The Faine House] are going to be able to reinvest themselves in the community, and that's what's most important," Jeff says. Just as he has invested himself in the community he loves.
We celebrate our client, Jeff Faine.