Harbor58 Mission and Board
In May 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Harbor58 was born out of a simple request: could someone help foster youth turning 18 who were on the brink of homelessness? Research quickly revealed a heartbreaking truth: every year in the U.S., more than 20,000 young people age out of foster care, and many find themselves with no family, no support, and very few local resources. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 will experience homelessness within the first year of leaving care.
Aging out means these young adults were removed from unsafe homes, their parents were unable to reunify, and they were never adopted. By 18, many feel failed by every system that touched their lives. Most count down the days until they can be “free,” not realizing how unprepared and unequipped they are for life on their own.
Harbor58 exists to change that story. Since 2022, we’ve walked alongside youth aging out of foster care through mentorship and transition support. We also serve system-impacted teens who are vulnerable and at risk, whether in foster care or not, through our MoneyTalks program, which teaches financial literacy and life skills to prepare them for independence.
In 2024, we launched our pilot housing program, renting a home for a small group of young adults to live with resident coaches. This model is already helping youth build stability and independence while experiencing consistent support.
The next step is our cottage-style campus, where young adults will have a safe place to live for up to 18 months surrounded by support: on-site mental health care, life skills training, apprenticeship opportunities, and one-on-one mentorship.
Our Values
At Harbor58, our values aren’t just words on a wall, they shape the way we live, lead, and love. Every decision we make and every relationship we build flows from what we believe at our core:
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Radical Hospitality: We create spaces where youth feel safe, welcomed, and seen.
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Restorative Relationships: We build trust through consistency, compassion, and care.
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Dignity Over Dependence: We walk alongside youth as they build their own future.
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Faith That Acts: We respond to real needs with practical hope.
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Honest Stewardship: We honor every resource and every story with integrity.
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Stronger Together: We link arms with community partners to provide lasting support.
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Progress Over Perfection: We know healing and growth take time.
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Mission-Minded: We keep our eyes on the purpose that drives us — empowering youth aging out of foster care to thrive in adulthood.
These values guide how we Restore, Equip, Empower, and Launch every young adult
who walks through our doors.
Our Board
Missy & Jay Parmenter
Jay and Missy met while attending a leadership college in Atlanta, GA. After graduation, they stayed on staff for four years, working closely with students to develop life and leadership skills.
In 2012, they joined the staff at Oasis Church, where they were introduced firsthand to the foster care system. As relative caregivers for their now-adopted daughter, their heart for children in care began to grow into a lifelong calling.
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Today, Jay serves as Board Chair for Harbor58’s construction committee, guiding the vision for the future campus. Missy serves as Executive Director of Harbor58 after several years as a Guardian ad Litem in Manatee County and as part of the Safe Children Coalition’s Guardian Assistance Program. Together, they share a deep commitment to creating a safe haven and a brighter future for youth aging out of foster care.
Mimi Bell - Board Secretary
​The Bell Family has an extensive history working in the child welfare space in our area. Since 2007, Mimi worked as an Independent Living Specialist through the Safe Children Coalition, they helped launch the local chapter of Safe Families for Children, and were House Directors for a ministry of Youth For Christ, called The 180 House.
They also served as missionaries with YWAM (Youth With A Mission), which took them around the world, but primarily they served on the global leadership team of the YWAM Refugee Circle while living in Europe.
As founders of the non-profit, Harbor58, they have been crucial in the launch of this ministry. Before a sudden and fatal heart-attack in November of 2020, Caleb “passed the baton” as President of Harbor58, naming Missy Parmenter as the new President. Mimi remains a key member of the board.
Dianna Fort - Board Treasurer
Dianna and her husband, Steve, first moved to Florida in 1998, when he transferred with his employer and she joined Tropicana. Later, their careers then took them to Chicago, Dallas and Ireland, before they returned to Florida in 2017. Serving has always been near to her heart - from serving with Steve as a mentor and regularly hosting foster kids for “family dinners” to supporting and fundraising for her local community center and co-chairing a national organization of professional women with a heart for giving and serving. Dianna decided to retire early to spend quality time with family, traveling, and serving those in need within her community. She describes Harbor58 as “an amazing opportunity to leverage my personal and professional experience to make a difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable young adults in our community.”
Steve Coad - President of the Board
In September 2011, Steve and his team launched Oasis Church in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. With prior experience as youth pastors in St. Petersburg, FL, and as a campus pastor in Middleburg, FL, Steve has spent decades investing in leadership development and helping people discover their God-given potential.
Under his leadership, Oasis Church has become a community with a deep heart for families, especially those impacted by the foster care system. Believing that no family should carry their burden alone, Steve has championed the call to support foster families and vulnerable youth in our community.
As President of the Board for Harbor58, Steve brings both vision and pastoral care, helping guide the organization as it builds a safe haven and brighter future for youth aging out of foster care.
Craig Townsend - Chair of the Advancement Committee
Craig Townsend is a retired financial professional with a 35 year career helping families and business owners navigate complex decisions with clarity and confidence. As a Managing Partner and co founder of Synergy Wealth Alliance, he built a strong reputation for disciplined planning, trusted relationships, and long term strategy, supported by his CFP, CLU, and ChFC designations.
Known for simplifying complex topics and building trust, Craig brings a steady and thoughtful approach to leadership and service.
Grounded in his faith and family, he is passionate about encouraging young adults through Harbor 58. He and his wife Rhonda have three children and four grandchildren, and he enjoys photography, fishing, and hunting.
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