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Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida Blog
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
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.
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.
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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.
“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.”
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?
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
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.
