Adapting to COVID-19

Celebrating the Resilience of Mothers this Mother's Day

Life can change in an instant, a lesson that became all too real for former Coalition resident, Sal. After a lifetime of careful financial planning and hard work, Sal—a senior citizen of Central Florida—found himself facing a nightmare he never anticipated: the loss of his home. Unforeseen medical emergencies drained his savings, leaving him without a roof over his head and nowhere to turn—until Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida stepped in. Sal’s journey began in Miami, where he arrived as a young man fleeing the Cuban Revolution with his family. He worked hard all his life, meticulously saving for his retirement. However, when he retired at 70, health issues he never anticipated—heart problems, spinal stenosis, and other geriatric issues—began to emerge. Medical bills quickly piled up, and despite his best efforts to manage them, Sal found himself in a financial crisis. “I was always responsible, always paid my bills on time. But suddenly, I was in a situation where I just couldn’t keep up,” he recalls. The rising cost of living, particularly his rent, soon outpaced his dwindling savings, leaving him without a place to call home. Sal’s experience underscores the often-overlooked reality that homelessness can happen to anyone, even those who plan carefully for their future. When his landlord increased his rent by $900 a month, Sal was forced to leave his home of four years. With nowhere else to go, Sal turned to a community drop-in shelter, where he enrolled in a three-month program that kept him off the streets. However, as the program came to an end, he faced the terrifying prospect of homelessness once again. That’s when he was referred to Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. “The Coalition let me in, and I honestly believe they saved my life,” Sal says. “With my health issues, I wouldn’t have lasted long out there.” Sal found not just shelter, but a community at the Coalition. His case manager, Mrs. Thomas, became his lifeline. “Your caseworker is your angel from heaven,” Sal explains. “She’s the person who takes you by the hand and guides you through the process.” Mrs. Thomas provided Sal with more than just practical assistance; she offered the emotional support and reassurance that he desperately needed. Their relationship highlights the importance of compassionate, personalized care in helping individuals regain their footing. Sal’s story is one of gratitude and hope, but it’s also a call to action. The Coalition is doing vital work, but we need the support of donors to continue providing life-saving services. Sal’s experience shows that homelessness is not just a problem for others; it’s something that can happen to anyone, particularly vulnerable populations like senior citizens. “If it can happen to me, it can happen to other people as well,” Sal warns. He urges potential donors to consider the real impact of their contributions. “The Coalition gave me a second chance at life. Without their help, I don’t know where I’d be.” Thanks to supporters like you, who donate necessary dollars to the Coalition, we were able to help Sal . His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of caring neighbors and crucial programs and services that provide safety nets for those in crisis. Today, Sal has not only found stability but is now residing in an apartment of his own. He says he looks forward to returning as a visitor to connect with his friends at the Coalition and serve as a reminder that if he can get into permanent housing, anyone can.

Della was just 23 years old when she realized she needed to make a drastic change to create better for herself and her four children. To escape a toxic environment and abusive ex, Della hopped in her car and drove eight hours until she hit Orlando, Florida with nothing but her babies, a packed car, and faith. “It was just the environment I was in. It wasn’t good for me. I couldn’t be healthy for my kids, so I needed more.” At seven months pregnant, Della planned to leave her home state of Alabama for a new chance at life. She realized her nursing school had a program in Orlando, and that she could move and continue her education while seeking more. While she knew she was risking it all coming to Orlando without family, friends, or a job, she also knew she was willing to do anything to provide better for her children. “It was all aspects. Better education. Better environment. I wanted my kids to have more opportunities than I did, and...I didn’t want them to see me crying...or just going through stuff with their dad.” When Della arrived in Florida, she spent two weeks living between her car and hotels, relying on UberEats and DoorDash to create small streams of income while she sought stable work and housing. However, when she went into labor early and found her car towed, she was forced to go back to Alabama to seek emergency assistance. Della knew it was temporary, but her goal was still to escape the toxicity of her home in Alabama. After a few weeks, she found herself on the road again—with a newborn baby—heading straight to Orlando with a plan. Before leaving, she researched assistance programs and found the Coalition. She explains, “I actually wrote the Coalition down and a couple of apartment complexes.” First thing Monday morning, Della and her four children arrived at the Coalition at 5AM to secure a spot. After meeting with an Intake Specialist, she was placed into a family dorm in our Center for Women and Families where she was provided a private bedroom with four beds. And after months of bouncing around, her and her boys got to finally enjoy a peaceful sleep outside of their car. The Coalition immediately went to work to assist Della with securing daycare services, obtaining her Florida ID, providing clothing needs, and more. After several months, Della was offered an opportunity to join the Coalition’s Empower Employee Program, which gives individuals with children the chance to enhance their career path with resume workshops, self-development classes, and employability training. After the 10-week program, Della graduated Valedictorian of her class, and found herself re-enrolled in nursing school. Thanks to Orange County funding, she was also granted a housing stipend through the program and a brand-new laptop. “I love the entire program. They will always be a part of my life. It helped me with self-healing [and]...knowing my self-worth. Even though it’s a job stability program, it still teaches about emotional intelligence...with me going through what I was with my ex...I learned so much about myself.” Today, Della is a 24-year old nursing student with drive, ambition, and the same faith that led her to take that leap. She has been interviewing for a few promising positions and has a housing application in review. She says that while the journey has been tough, she knows it will be worth it for her children. “The Coalition...offered three meals a day, a shower, a room with bedding. [It] opened its doors for me and my family to be able to stay here and I’m thankful for that." With your support, we can continue to help mothers like Della recover from life's unexpected tragedies. Donate now .

"When I started down the hallway, I heard some running, and then I heard the word 'fire' and that's when I grabbed my backpack and went downstairs. . .when the fire department showed up is when I actually saw smoke." On Wednesday, February 7th, Jason was one of the 237 men who were swiftly exited out of our Men's Service Center when an unexpected fire broke loose in our 100-man dorm. And while no physical injuries ensued, over 230 men found themselves heartbroken as their temporary home, lit up in flames. For many men, like Jason, the Coalition is a haven, where individuals can get assistance navigating their crisis with homelessness. "For me, it's not just a safe haven...with everything that is provided here...I've been able to really focus on the things I need to." When the fire struck, suddenly shelter and crucial programs and services were halted—completely disrupting our ability to house these men and provide food to everyone on campus, since our kitchen and dining facility were also affected. In the span of a few hours, community partners quickly came together to provide temporary solutions so that the Coalition could continue to provide shelter, meals, and services to all. Lynx busses shuttled over 200 of our men to shelters across the city, and other organizations like Shiloh Baptist Church, converted their gymnasiums into temporary accommodations, which provided over 100 of our men with a safe place to lay their heads. Jason says he was "overwhelmed with the response [from the community]." "They had probably 120 something around their beds. . already with blankets on there. Linens on there. And when we came in, they had dinner ready. It was more than I expected." Thanks to you and our incredible community, we were able to keep men like Jason safe and secure during this emergency. Beds, linens, shower services, meals, and so much more were completely donated to the Coalition, all to ensure that we can keep programs and services afloat. As we continue to wait for the building to be deemed safe for re-opening (currently looking at a minimum of 30 days), we just want to thank you for caring, because it really does mean the world, to us and people like Jason. "Thank you, sincerely, not just for myself, but I know there's plenty of people here that don't realize how much one person can [make a difference]. One person coming in, dropping off a bag of chips can change someone's day....and it impacts all the way down...it does a lot for people. It saves lives." With your support, we can continue to help men like Jason recover from life's unexpected tragedies. Donate now here: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/MSCFIRE

Landy had recently joined our Men’s Service Center when his 2-year-old daughter Nevaeh was suddenly handed off to him. With just the clothes on her back, Landy had no choice but to quickly become the sole caretaker of his child, amidst his own struggles. Just a year back, Landy and his girlfriend were first-time parents living in their 2-bedroom apartment in Kissimmee, Florida. But when things in their relationship became turbulent, they decided to separate, leaving Landy to seek shelter elsewhere. Eventually, both individuals began to struggle with homelessness independently. Landy temporarily found refuge in his mother’s home and took Nevaeh with him. He had a few months with his mother before she would need to move, and he would find himself unsheltered once again. During that time, Landy worked diligently to secure additional income and look for resources in the Orlando area. However, when it was time to return to the streets, he returned Nevaeh to her mother. “I’ve always worked during this...but they started cutting my hours...and then I got into a car accident. So, I lost the only transportation I had to actually make extra money and keep me afloat.” Landy eventually discovered the Coalition. He spent a week visiting our Intake and Diversion Center before a bed finally opened in our Men’s Service Center. He felt a sense of relief when he realized he would now be able to work towards his goal of restabilizing himself. A month and a half after his arrival—and days before starting a new job—Landy received the news that Nevaeh’s caregiver would be unable to care for her because of health concerns. Before he knew it, she was handed off and now his complete responsibility. “She was really, really, really, skinny. Once I got her, I noticed her health wasn’t [good].” Once on-site, our Housing Specialists worked quickly to transfer both Landy and Nevaeh into a family dorm in our Center for Women and Families. Within a few hours Nevaeh was given clothing, shoes, socks, and a brand-new stroller; and within a few days she was enrolled in our on-site daycare. “You guys made sure she was in good hands, and she had everything she needed.” Today, Nevaeh is at a healthy weight and now has access to three nutritious meals a day—something that gives Landy immense joy as a father. When she is in day-care, Landy works. He has since secured a second job, and alongside his Housing Specialist, Ana, is working his way towards permanent housing. The father-daughter duo recently shifted into one of our bridge housing units and look forward to the day when they’re back in a home of their own. Reflecting on this time with his daughter and how he’s had to step up as a father, Landy says: “I never had a father figure...that’s why I work to improve. It’s a wonderful feeling being a father. I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. My daughter keeps me going. I don’t know where I would be if my daughter was not in my life.” Landy is one of the many fathers that we serve at the Coalition. If you feel inspired to help families like this, consider making a donation today. Donate here: https://bit.ly/father2023

As a single mother, Vanique was distraught when she was suddenly faced with an eviction notice after two months of not making rent. Her hours had been cut in half when her one-year-old son was unexpectedly hospitalized, making it impossible for her to afford living expenses as a single mother. In the same month as her eviction, Vanique lost her job and learned that she was pregnant with her fourth child. Alone and with no reliable family in the state, she had no choice but to do what was best for herself and her kids—and that meant using her last bit of savings to find a way to stay directly off the streets. “I was in and out of hotels, then the hotels got expensive, and I couldn’t afford it, so me and my kids slept in my car.” Despite her circumstances, Vanique knew she had to find a way. She needed a job and found a sliver of hope when she was hired for new employment. Although she had an income to meet a few of her basic needs, she didn’t have enough to get housed. She was still spending her nights in her car, surviving off of cereal bars, and using public washrooms to keep her and her children fresh. “I can tell you about the many times I broke down and cried...not having the roof over our head and all my kids in the car...me being pregnant...all of us having asthma...in the heat...it was horrible.” Amidst her search, Vanique found the Coalition and decided to seek help at our Intake and Diversion Center. After a few hurdles, she was finally processed as a resident and moved into a family dorm. However, it was only a few months before she found herself in the hospital again—this time to introduce her new baby girl to the world. When she returned to the Coalition, she was happy to get assistance with essentials for her and her children. With the help of her Housing Specialist, she was able to access diapers, baby wipes, clothing, shoes, and food for free. And while those needs were being met, she was able to prioritize her search for affordable housing. In a matter of time, Vanique was accepted into our Rapid ReHousing (RRH) program and relocated to one of our bridge apartment units on campus. As part of RRH, she will get rental assistance for up to a year, even after securing her own home. Today, she and her Housing Specialist, Olivia, are working to finalize a contract on a three-bedroom apartment for her and her family. As she holds her three-month-old newborn in her hands, Vanique says that she’s incredibly thankful to the Coalition for giving her strength in her time of need. She also explains how her children have been an additional source of her strength during this time. “I was at my lowest. There were times when I wanted to kill myself. But as a mother and having kids, all you can think about is what's best for your kids...and now with my baby girl...my focus was to teach her to always be independent and strong no matter what the situation is." In any given year, the Coalition serves hundreds of moms like Vanique. Your support helps end homelessness for these families. Will you give today to honor a special mom in your life? Donate today .

Paige was 19 when she got pregnant with her oldest son Trenton. Just three months into a new relationship; she had no idea that she would spend the next 4-5 years tied to an abuser. Born to drug-addict parents, Paige became a product of the foster care system and didn’t have the luxury of growing up in a stable home. When she aged out of foster care, she reunited with her birth parents and shifted between her great aunts’ house and the streets. Her parents became homeless , and it wasn’t until she met her boyfriend, that she gained some relative stability. In 2014, Paige quickly realized that her newfound stability came at a cost. “I was 36 weeks pregnant with Trenton, and I was covered in bruises all over my face and arms...” A victim of severe domestic violence, Paige experienced a mix of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse for years. “They were going to force me to testify against him as a witness...but the day he had court, I was in the hospital giving birth so the judge wouldn’t let them use me and everything he had felony charges for: domestic violence, battery on a pregnant woman, and a bunch of other ones... all got dropped down to misdemeanors because they had no witness.” Through that relationship, Paige became a mother of four children. She went through cycles of leaving and returning out of fear that she couldn’t do it alone. However, after years of abuse and seeing how the domestic violence affected her children, she finally shifted away from her abuser and into safety with a new apartment. In 2021—amidst COVID —Paige was unfortunately evicted from her low-income apartment because of late rent. After years of pain, she found herself on the streets again. And with nowhere else to turn, Paige joined her parents in a wooded homeless community in Kissimmee, where she and her four children slept in a tent for six months. Through a video of the camp shared across social media, Paige’s story was shared, and our Community Outreach team learned that Paige and her children needed a home. In December 2021, Paige finally experienced some relief when she and her children became guests at Coalition for the Homeless . Through the Coalition, Paige has been able to secure food stamps, utilize daycare services while working, and get on track for therapy. “I have the best Case Manager here, Angie! She’s done a lot of referral letters for me. They just helped me start therapy because I need to work on myself. Angie is amazing. I love Andrea (too). They’ve helped me when I needed resources...the same day...I have it.” Today, Paige is not only liberated from her abuser, but she’s also in the process of securing new employment as a teacher’s assistant. Additionally, she is actively working with her housing specialists to secure permanent housing. She looks forward to the day when she and her children are back on their own feet. ----------- Last year, 24% of Coalition residents were victims of Domestic Violence. Your continued support allows us to offer resources and stability to these individuals. Consider giving a gift today . Your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar until November 11th, thanks to our Morgan Match Campaign.

Although Monique may have had a job, she still found herself homeless when—midst of a breakup—she had no choice but to transition out of her shared apartment abruptly. With rent in Orlando continuously increasing, Monique's $15/hour wage was just enough to maintain the majority of her bills, which included: utilities, cable, cellphone, a car note, insurance, gas, and food. But living paycheck to paycheck didn't leave much room for abrupt life changes. In May 2022—after a year of having lived in Central Florida with her partner—they decided to go their separate ways, just as their lease ended. And while her boyfriend already had a spot lined up, Monique was forced to find housing under pressurizing conditions, with not much saved. “We didn’t have enough money saved because rent is so much...when it was time to get out, I just didn’t have $2000 on hand to put down on another apartment, so I was freaking out...and the deposit was $1500 on itself.” Originally from New Jersey, Monique had no family in the state. However, she did have a friend in Ocala. Thanks to the friend's hospitality, Monique stayed with her for two weeks while waiting to secure housing. During that time, she maintained her security guard job despite an arduous commute. "I was driving an hour and a half to work, [and an] hour and a half back to Ocala, for two weeks straight!" During that time, Monique was desperately searching for an apartment. When she found something within her budget, she knew she still needed help with her deposits. She turned to google to search for resources. "I was online browsing...and Coalition was one of the first searches that came up...I was reading what kind of services they provide...and I was like 'Jackpot. I'm going down there.'" Monique made her way to our Intake and Diversion Center where we matched her with Housing Specialist, Ebonee Parson. After completing her initial paperwork, they determined that she was eligible for the rental assistance diversion program. Together, they worked with the apartment complex to coordinate Monique's move come June. " The Coalition paid the prorated rent , which was a few hundred dollars, and then they paid the first month's rent, and...the deposit as well...to make sure that I was able to move in." When reflecting on her experience, Monique says finding the Coalition changed her life by giving her more faith in humanity. "I see the news and the world is just crumbling, but then you have little gems like the Coalition that makes me believe that there are still good people in the world. " Today, as Monique finds herself secure in her studio apartment in Orlando, she says she feels "thankful" to the Coalition. " We need these programs like the Coalition ...to keep providing for those who...are getting the help, because we need it...so for all the donors out there, thank you for your generous hearts, thank you for supporting such a great, amazing cause. It is greatly appreciated, especially from someone like me." Inspired by this story? Give now! If you give between now and November 11th, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to our Morgan Match Campaign. MORE FROM THE CLIENT INTERVIEW Interview Month: July, 2022 Name: Monique W. Can you briefly explain your situation, how it started, and what the Coalition did for you? Okay. I moved from New Jersey last year (last April). I settled into my apartment. I was with my partner at the time, and fast forward, the lease is up. We’ve broken up by this time (we broke up in May). June 3rd came—that was the day we had to move out—he went to his place, he was already settled, I did not. So I called my friend in Ocala and asked if I could stay with her. The one week turned into 2 weeks, so I stayed in Ocala, but I was still traveling back and forth for work. I work as a security guard. So I was driving an hour and a half to work, an hour and a half back to Ocala for two weeks straight! How long were you two together? This month (July) would have been our third year anniversary. You said you were originally from NJ, correct? I am, I am a New Jersey girl! I was in the New Jersey foster care system ever since birth. My Mom is a schizophrenic, she is bipolar and she also suffers from epilepsy, so all of those issues created a very toxic environment for me. So I was in foster care ever since I was 6. I got adopted at 12, but that didn’t work out for me. So...you know...I had to push myself. I had to motivate myself, I had to cheer myself up in place of them. So I've always been the type of person—if I was in a situation — I have to figure it out because I don’t have a support team, I don’t have a comfort net. What brought you to Central Florida? Was it your boyfriend? My partner actually. He is going through a very strange custody battle with his ex-wife. He came down here because he wants to be more present in the children's lives. He wants to just be a dad. Do you have any children yourself? No children. I would love a little crumb snatcher one day. How old are you? I am 33, I will be 34 at the end of the month Have you kept the same job throughout the whole process? No, when I first got here, I transferred from the cheesecake factory, and I did not like the work environment, so I resigned. I ended up working at Subway for a little while. I was assistant manager there, but I did not like the work environment, so I moved on to Publix, to the deli, it was fine, but again, something about the fast food work environment that I am just not into. So I went back to security. I got my license. Did the classes and everything and went back. Were you dealing with any other circumstances within this past year, when it came to having to move out? Health conditions? Or anything outside of your relationship that led to this situation? No, it was literally the fact that we didn’t have enough money saved because rent is so much. We have to pay 1000 and 1 bills, so when it was time to get out, I just didn’t have $2000 on hand to put down on another apartment, so I was definitely freaking out. But no, it was just unfortunate that we couldn’t save the amount of money that I needed to place down on a new place. And then the deposit was $1500 on itself. So all together the Coalition paid. They paid the prorated rent (which was a few hundred dollars), and then they paid the first month's rent, and then they paid the deposit as well, so that was a little over 2 grand that they paid in total to make sure that I was able to move in. So you talked earlier about utilizing the resource of the Coalition. What did that look like to you? How did you exactly find us? Well, I was online browsing to see if there were any resources or buildings that I could go to, that lent help to those who needed help. I know that the programs are kind of scarce now because the funding is not able to be dispersed, a lot of funding has been cut, unfortunately. So I just went on google, I browsed and Coalition was one of the first searches that came up. So I clicked on the link, went to the website, I was reading you know what kind of services they provide, I heard that it was a shelter, people can go get breakfast in the morning when they open, there is a place where people can take a shower if you don’t have anywhere to bathe, so I'm like... "Okay. Jackpot. I'm going to go down there." Got there. They gave me initial paperwork, and I was matched with Ms. Ebonee, and she explained to me the process of what we needed from my end to get the ball rolling and she asked me exactly what I needed help with. I was telling her my feelings, my views and I was telling her there is help available for people who need it, but the thing is, people like me who have jobs—who are pretty okay—we need help too, because I'm not eligible for food stamps, I'm not eligible for healthcare. Why? Because they're telling me my $15 an hour that I make as a security guard is too much. I pay cable, I pay utilities, I pay my phone bill, since I don’t get food stamps I have to buy food out of pocket, I got to drive a car sometimes, I have to pay for gas, I got to pay for insurance, I have to pay the car note...so exactly how is my little $15 not enough to say...she needs coverage for health. That’s absolutely absurd to me. So you know, we went on, filled out the paperwork, and then I would say everything took about a week and a half, two weeks—it was a very quick process. It wasn’t drawn out at all. If you could describe the Coalition in one sentence or word, what would it be? I would put a few words. I know you said one, but it’s a hidden gem. It’s a hidden gem, it really is. What was the most surprising to you about the Coalition? The services that they offer and how not a lot of people know about it. I don't think many people know what the Coalition really does. I think that they think "oh, just the homeless." But they provide more than that. I mean technically, I wasn’t living on the street, but they helped me. They provide some stuff and they give you other referrals to other places, like if you wanted to get tested. I just feel like people complain that there's not enough help, but the help that is out there. Nobody utilizes it. And I wish that the Coalition would get more recognition in terms of just publicity. Because If I didn’t do that google search, I would have never found out about it. What would you say to someone who donates to the Coalition? THANK YOU!!!!!!! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Like seriously. Those donations are what keep it afloat and we need these programs like the Coalition to stay functioning to keep doing what they do, to keep providing for those who are actually putting their egos aside and getting the help, because we need it. And I say we because I may need help again, in the future. You know? I'm not the one to turn my head away from help. Listen, I know the position I play, and I know I cannot do it all by myself so whatever means of help I can get, I'm going to take it. So for all the donors out there...thank you for your generous hearts, thank you for just supporting such a great, amazing cause. It is greatly appreciated especially from someone like me. How has this experience changed you? It changed me because it gave me a little bit more faith in humanity. I hate waking up in the morning, and I see the news and the world is just crumbling, but then you have little gems like the Coalition, that make me believe that there are still good people in this world, and I just pray that one day that we can all be on the same page on that, that we all can be in peace and we don’t have to be so mean to each other, you know?

It was a sad day when Anglie and her family realized they were officially homeless . In November 2021, Anglie, her husband Leon, and their seven children (ages 5-25) decided to separate to deal with the distressing events that led them to lose their home. Family members could accommodate a few of Anglie’s older children in their homes, but Anglie and Leon had no choice but to take their youngest kids to stay at a local hotel. They spent their days switching between sleeping in hotel rooms and their car. However, things worsened on January 1st, when she and her younger children contracted COVID. While Anglie and the kids were placed in the hospital, Leon—who tested negative—couldn’t be with them, leading to another unexpected separation. While admitted, Anglie shared her family's story with a nurse who offered a list of resources in the area—however, all were at capacity. Eventually, a prayer partner connected Anglie to the Coalition , but due to COVID, she could not visit the campus in person. Instead, she was able to complete the intake process over the phone, and Anglie waited patiently to hear back about availability. "Those were the longest two days of my life." After a few suspenseful days, Anglie was relieved when the Coalition offered to move her and her children into another hotel until they could test negative for COVID. After three weeks, they could transition into our Center for Women and Families . And a week later, they were joined by Leon. At the Coalition, Anglie was assigned a Housing Specialist who helped her get approved for the Rapid ReHousing Program. She applied for several housing opportunities, but before any of them could flourish, her family was hit with COVID again, leading to another round of quarantining. "This was a hard blow cause I had just started back working and things were looking up. It was very upsetting, but I kept going." Without losing hope, Anglie continued to apply to housing leads and eventually scored a four-bedroom home that accepted the Homeless Service Network (HSN) Rapid Rehousing Program. And with the help of her Housing Specialist, Cortney, she and her family moved into their new home on August 15, 2022—free of fear and COVID. “I am so thankful for the Coalition for the Homeless programs and casework Cortney for the help she gave...me and my family have a place to call home again.” >> Thanks to you, we are able to help families and individuals return to stable, permanent homes as quickly as possible. If this story inspired you, donate today .