Jeff Probst:  clever, chiseled, charismatic, and finding time between Survivor adventures to focus on social responsibility as founder of The Serpentine Project.  It’s hard to not get momentarily sidetracked when a guy like Jeff Probst graces my Television set once a week.  Need I mention those glorious dimples – a spectacular abyss of visual delight?  I mean seriously ladies, the only reason to kick Jeff Probst out of bed is to attack him on the floor.  He’s 47, still absolutely gorgeous, intellectual and a humanitarian – in many ways, he embodies male perfection.  I’ll stop obsessing about his breathtaking good looks because Jeff’s character goes way beyond the surface beauty God granted him which makes him 100 times more attractive.

Jeff Probst is the George Clooney of reality TV and I idolized him even more when I read about The Serpentine Project and his commitment to help emancipated youths fulfill their dreams.  As Survivor Samoa ended, Jeff talked about his charity, The Serpentine Project and I wanted to learn more about it.  It’s a mentorship program for emancipated youth providing guidance through weekly meetings with Serpentine Project staff that help set realistic goals, identify and eliminate challenges, as well as monitor personal progress.  When a foster child turns 18, they are “emancipated” by the state and face the awkward and tumultuous early adult years completely alone.  Many of these youths will experience homelessness, incarceration, or be living under the poverty line within 2 years.  Enter Jeff Probst, founder of the Serpentine project to help these kids believe that their dreams are possible.

What does serpentine mean in this context?  Well, the serpentine stone is known as the dream stone – it’s green in color, but the shade and texture of each stone varies much like the dreams of our youth are unique to each individual.  No one can say it more eloquently than Jeff himself.  Here is his letter of inspiration posted on the Serpentine Project site:

“Most of us were fortunate enough to grow up knowing we could count on the guidance and support of our parents.  They helped us with homework, drove us to and from after school activities, assisted with our first job applications, and perhaps most importantly, they were there to give us a hug when the growing pains of life seemed overwhelming.   It is through such unconditional love that we learn to believe in ourselves and reach for our wildest dreams.

Many youth transition out of foster care and enter adulthood without the emotional and financial resources most of us had in our young adult lives. Instead of dreaming for a future that is bright, emancipated youth worry about securing a safe place to call home and earning the next paycheck to cover food and gas.

The Serpentine Project aims to even the playing field.  We believe each and every youth has the right to dream big and achieve greatness.  We strive to provide our youth with the right tools and resources needed to set goals, eliminate obstacles and ultimately reach their dreams.

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