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Creating Lasting Change Del Mar couple transforms personal heartache into programs to help the homeless R OLF BENIRSCHKE, THE FORMER Chargers star placekicker, Hall of Famer, and NFL Man of the Year, and his wife, Mary, a speech pathologist and educator, have teamed up to help homeless youth change the trajectory of their lives. Although the couple are longtime philanthropists, this goal is especially personal. eir son Timmy once struggled with homelessness and addiction, living on the streets in Salt Lake City for several years. "When our son lost his way, we got exposed to a world we knew nothing about," Rolf recalls. e Del Mar couple have four children including Timmy, who they adopted at three years old, and his brother, Erik, then five, from Russian orphanages. "e conditions they lived under at the orphanages were not good and both of the boys have emotional scars they will carry with them their whole lives, but we knew we were their 'forever parents' when we found them and brought them home," says Mary. "Today, despite the early trauma and neglect they experienced and after a lot of therapy and prayer, they are both doing well, and we are grateful." Timmy, who is now clean, sober, and off the streets, is the inspiration for Timmy's Place, which opened in downtown San Diego in May 2023 to help youth, who were homeless or living in temporary shelters, develop skills and job experiences. "Its mission is to give our unhoused youth a chance at moving forward in life by providing job training and life skills to not only get a job, but to keep a job and help them stay off the streets permanently," Mary explains. A pizzeria and print shop, Timmy's Place is located at 1404 5th Avenue below the Urban Street Angels shelter that houses up to 70 individuals from 18 to 24 years old. e business trains up to 50 people a year in operations, customer service, and job skills. Many move on to positions with more responsibility, or enroll in schools, whether traditional or trade. BY ANDREA NAVERSEN Focus philanthropy Mary and Rolf Benirschke ranchandcoast.com 52 JULY 2024 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE