Horace's Story
Amanda Smiley • May 30, 2018
From a Coalition bed to the Coalition Board
Horace Barnes, who joined the Coalition's Board this February, has a unique motivation for helping us further our mission. Along with a heart for giving back, he knows first-hand what it’s like to experience homelessness.
While serving our country, Horace picked up a drug and alcohol habit that began taking hold of his life when he left the Army after 12 years. "My alcohol and drug addictions just took off," he says. "And I was trying to fix everything on my own without reaching out for help. I went from one good job to the next. I couldn’t sustain them."
The turning point in Horace’s life was when he was sent to prison for an outstanding warrant.
"After I got out, I was put on probation for three years in Osceola County and sent to a transitional house for homeless veterans," he says." That was really when I started to turn my life back around. I met some really good people who took me under their wings and encouraged me to make the best of those three years."
At the transitional house, Horace went to Florida Technical College for Cosmetology, earning a 3.8 GPA, and graduated magna cum laude . When his time there ended, he knew that it was just the beginning of his journey.
"I met with the Director of the Men’s Program at the Coalition who told me about the services and recovery program there. I knew that it was the best place for me to continue down the road that I was already on," he says.
His first night at the Coalition was spent in the former Men’s Pavilion while he was waiting for his bed at the First Steps Apartments to become available.
"I'll never forget that night. I was lying on the mat and kept thinking to myself, 'There is nowhere for you to go but up,'" he says. "It was a real wake up call for me to never let myself get back in this situation if I can help it. I woke up the next day with a clearer vision."
With the help of his case managers and recovery group at the Coalition, Horace continued reclaiming his life one step at a time. He finished college, got a job and saved up money to get his own apartment.
"A week after I moved into my apartment, the job I had at the temp service had ended," he remembers. "I was sitting on my couch praying that God would help me find a job."
The very next day, he received a phone call with the news that he was accepted for a position with the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Orlando VA Medical Center in Lake Nona.
"That phone call was a true answer to prayer," he says. "I accepted the job immediately, and I continue to work for them in the Emergency Medical Services department. In April, I will have been there for four years. I love it."
Now, in his new role as a Board Member, Horace hopes to use his experiences as a former guest to help bring an understanding of what it's like to walk in their shoes. "I think that as a board member my job is to try to build a bridge, bringing the board members closer to our residents," he says. "It's an honor to be back and to be given the opportunity to give back. There's so much that I want to do for this organization because it did so much for me."
Along with serving in the capacity as a Board Member, he continues to motivate those who are coming in after him and explains, "I'm on the other side of the fence now. I lived it. These resources are perfect for a person who wants it and will take advantage of it. That's how I applied myself when I was here, and I hope to inspire others to do the same."
"You have to put the work in. It's no cake walk. I still have hard days," he confesses. "But my worst day now was my best day when I was homeless."
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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
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.
