Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida Brochure

Join Us Together we can transform lives.

Some believe homelessness is a lifestyle choice and homeless shelters provide just a meal and a place to sleep for homeless men. In reality, homelessness is often the result of financial or other unforeseen circumstances and its faces include women and families in growing numbers.

All are able to benefit from the fresh start we offer.

Our mission is to transform the lives of homeless men, women, and children by providing crucial services to end their crisis of homelessness.

“The Coalition has given us the opportunity to get our lives back on track and build a new future.”

MEGAN & BRET

Coalition programs and services that helped Megan & Bret’s family: Shelter, food, case management, daycare, and job skills training.

Every day we serve more than 600 of Central Florida’s neighbors in need. We simply could not do that without you!

“I am learning how to take care of myself so I can be a better husband, father and - especially grandfather.” VICTOR

Coalition programs and services that helped Victor: First Steps Transitional Housing, on-site substance abuse recovery meetings, case management, and social service referrals.

TE DONA

Money, stock, corporate giving

Needed items, professional services

VOLU NTEER

IND IN-K

Individual, group, or family

ICES ERV S D N DS A GOO

Make a Difference.

Help the Coalition provide homeless men, women, and children with the services they need to regain their independence. You’ll be investing in real lives.

To donate, volunteer, or contribute in-kind goods and services contact the Development Department at 407 426 1256, or visit coalition@cflhomeless.org to get involved. Your gift is tax deductible.

In addition to safe shelter and nutritious meals, Coalition for the Homeless provides a broad range of services to help our homeless neighbors transform their lives, such as job skills training and educational programs, counseling for families and children, a licensed daycare for preschoolers, and community housing support. Our residents work with case managers to develop a personalized plan for selfsufficiency and a better life.

MEN

WOMEN

FAMILIES

FOOD, SHELTER & CASE MANAGEMENT Center for Women and Families (CWF) Located on the Coalition’s main Central Boulevard campus, the Center for Women and Families accommodates 240 individuals and is made up of three distinct sections – a single women’s dorm; two dorms for single mothers with infants and young children; and individual family rooms for intact families, single mothers with older children, and single fathers with children.

Four on-site partners, our daycare, numerous volunteer activities for adults and children, and case management support contribute to our residents’ ability to become self-sufficient.

Women’s Residential and Counseling Center (WRCC) Located at 107 East Hillcrest Street in downtown Orlando, the Women’s Residential and Counseling Center is a 126-person transitional living program for single women and women with children. There are an additional 12 beds for emergency situations. As about 80% of residents in this program are victims of crime, predominantly domestic violence, WRCC provides empowerment groups as part of their case plan.

Men’s Service Center (MSC) The Men’s Service Center (MSC) is a two-story residential facility for 250 single homeless men at any given time, offering case management and supportive services. Accommodations are dormitory-style for residents in the comprehensive case managed programs. For those who are not yet ready to commit to this intensive level of support, there is an Introductory Phase with limited case management.

Community Feeding Program The Coalition also offers a community feeding program in the MSC each night. Anyone who is hungry is welcome. As in other Coalition facilities, meals are provided thanks to the kindness of volunteers who come in to sponsor and serve food.

COUNSELING Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare provides mental health counseling for our adult clients. Families with children are referred to partner providers for assessment, individual and family counseling and other developmental services.

EDUCATION & JOB SKILLS TRAINING Orange County Public Schools LifeStrides provides Coalition clients access to an array of adult educational opportunities to enhance their employment potential.

Goodwill Industries of Central Florida/HSN provides job search and employability skills training for residents.

COMMUNITY HOUSING The Coalition’s goal is to help our residents move into stable, affordable housing. To help ensure success after their temporary stay with us, we offer the Scattered Site Program, which assists those who meet the savings and income qualifications to secure affordable rental housing. This year-long program provides rental assistance, case management and supportive services.

VICTIMS OF CRIME At both of our campuses, the Coalition offers specialized case management services and support groups for adults and children who are victims of crime, predominantly domestic violence.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY The Coalition offers the First Steps Substance Abuse Recovery Program, with several components, that includes a variety of services, such as daily support groups, life skills classes, vocational training, Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous, anger management, financial literacy, and yoga.

The First Steps Shelter Recovery Program for men comprises 50 beds in the Men’s Service Center. In addition, the Transitional Housing Program, located in our nine on-site apartments, serves men who have successfully completed the shelter component or a similar program and are recovering from their addictions. First Steps for Women, located in the Center for Women and Families, includes a partnership with Specialized Treatment, Education & Prevention Services, Inc. (STEPS), an off-site facility.

AFTER SCHOOL/SUMMER PROGRAMS The Coalition is the first shelter in the nation with an on-site Boys & Girls Club. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” the Club provides character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old.

ART BY COALITION CHILDREN (ABCs) ABCs is a volunteer-based program that pairs professional artists with children living at the Coalition, who often struggle with low self-esteem.

Through ABCs, they have the opportunity to learn about the arts and the freedom to creatively express themselves.

DAYCARE The Coalition has a fully-licensed daycare and a Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) classroom for the children of clients who work, are looking for work, or take classes during the day. Our daycare offers a structured, learning environment where play is encouraged. Nurturing staff address critical issues, such as self-esteem and social skills. Our VPK program, with an early literacy focus, prepares our youngsters for kindergarten.

VETERAN SERVICES Nationally, one in five homeless men is a veteran. With the help of great partners, as well as case managers dedicated to veteran issues, we are able to offer specialized services to those Men’s Service Center clients who are military veterans.

LOVE, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT Most importantly, we are here to provide compassion and support to help those in need transform their lives. We want them to enjoy a fresh start and a better life.

Our services provide the components necessary to help our homeless neighbors return to self-sufficiency, which strengthens the entire community.

“I came to the Coalition for shelter and received so much more. I am learning how to accept myself and work on my recovery.� KELLY

Coalition programs and services that helped Kelly: Shelter, food, First Steps for Women, on-site partners for medications, case management, and job search.

DID YOU KNOW?

20%

20%

60%

of people we help are children

of people we help are women

of people we serve are men

300,000

80%

of clients at WRCC are victims of crime

nutritious meals are served thanks to our meal serve groups

60,000

1,500 people come from the street or other uninhabitable places

volunteer hours are donated

600

150

70

People receive help from the Coalition every night

Children are served every night; average age is 8 years old

Families are served every night

Together, we can change our community.

WITH SUPPORT FROM

639 West Central Boulevard Orlando, FL 32801 407 426 1250 407 426 1269 centralfloridahomeless.org