"I'm here because I understand"

Rosemary’s story shows how domestic violence can lead a working mother and her son to homelessness, and how the Coalition helped them find safety and a path home.

Community in Action

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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 .