Choosing Safety: Rosemary’s Journey Back Home
August 25, 2026
Meet Rosemary & Darrian
In 2020, Rosemary and her family left Colorado for Florida with their young son, Darrian, in hopes of safety during COVID-19.
They settled first in Kissimmee, where Rosemary remembers life being good. Eventually, the family moved to the Winter Park area, and over time, the life Rosemary had hoped to build in Florida began to change.
Her partner’s drinking became more frequent, and their 13-year relationship became increasingly unstable.
Rosemary continued working and caring for Darrian, doing what she could to keep their household together.
"I focused on my job because I was trying to make sure that Darian had a good life."
Around September 2025, the situation reached a breaking point. One night after Rosemary returned home from work, an argument escalated into physical violence while Darrian was nearby. Rosemary took her son and fled the house without her phone or even their shoes.
They made their way to where Rosemary worked. Her manager welcomed them inside, her coworkers made sure Darrian had food and something to drink, and Rosemary was able to use a phone to call for help.
Orlando Police Department officers responded and brought Rosemary and Darrian to Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, where they safely stayed overnight in the Center for Women and Families.
After that first night, Rosemary returned home and tried once more to make the relationship work. But the instability continued. During that time, Miss Mallory and other Coalition staff stayed in contact, checking on Rosemary and Darrian and reminding her that they could return if they needed a safer place to stay.
Eventually, Rosemary reached a point where she knew she had to leave for good.
"I can’t save another grown person. I’m trying to save me and my son right now."
In November 2025, with no family in Florida and no safe, stable place to stay, Rosemary and Darrian came back to the Coalition for help and waited outside early one cold morning at 4 a.m.
This time, Coalition staff began helping Rosemary determine what came next. With her parents, sister, and extended family all in Colorado, returning home offered Rosemary and Darrian the support system they no longer had in Florida.
For Rosemary, the experience became a reminder that homelessness does not always look the way people expect.
"You just never know what somebody’s going through,” she says. "You could see people looking all nice and everything and they could be going through a horrible situation, and you just don’t even know."
Through the Coalition, Rosemary found a safe place to turn, people who continued checking in, and support reconnecting her and Darrian with the family waiting for them back home.
"People can come here and get the help they need," Rosemary says. "There’s really good resources here. People really try to help here."
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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
