in:captions - Coalition for the Homeless Newsletter

in: captions THE COALITION

APRIL 2012

text to pledge and support kids like lilly!

639 W. Central Blvd. • Orlando, FL 32801 • 407.426.1250 CentralFloridaHomeless.org

from our family

Brent A. Trotter President/CEO

to yours

ptions” ion’s new “in: ca lit a o C e th g n formed enjoyi nd to keep you in t p I hope you are em tt men, women a a e n a th f is o t a es rm liv fo e he n in th newsletter. T things going o ry a in rd o a tr ex e on some of th ve. er ey from families we s markable journ re ’s ia ic n w a s h S erosity helps u ill read about en w g u r u yo o , Y es g e. a re p g ate’s Deg On the followin . ng her Associ ti le p m co self sufficiency to d l n a te o ce m en a d in en living d indep e Shawnicia fin lik s d re d n u h ith us p hel ers to stand w te n lu vo f o s d t n d our friends a ut the thousa n o a h it n w lle e A b e el w ch ld ose d how Ra And where wou e in need? Rea e services to th s d o vi th ro p p s el u h g to in in help in our efforts ge got creative lle o C y it n u m m sness.

Valencia Co isis of homeles cr e th g n ci fa who are h our new ur work throug o rt o p p u s e n can make in th w easily you ca o e h g d rn le a p le 0 e, 2 u $ s r pact you Also in this is ign and the im a p m ca E G D E TEXT TO PL n like Lilly. u lives of childre n about how yo o ti a rm fo in ee ave a e you will s how you can h u ck page. Ther a yo b ll e te th s t u u o et k Giving. L lorida.

Finally, chec s of Central F rough Planned es th el rk m o o w H r e u o th alition for can give to e future of Co th n o ct a p im lasting t you, we serve. Withou e w e s o th to port. Flip unity and u for your sup l to this comm yo ta k vi n a is h T rk . o o w . d r Ou lasting impact d of things we a ia g yr n m ki a e m th o re d a how you could not enjoy learning … es g a p e th h throug

er Brent A. Trott President/CEO

a day in the life According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, over the course of a year, the odds of experiencing homelessness for a person in the general US population are 1 in 194. And as if that weren’t alarming enough, for a person living doubled-up (living with friends, family, or other nonrelatives for economic reasons), the odds of experiencing homelessness are 1 in 12!

Shawnicia, a Coalition Women’s Residential and Counseling Center (WRCC) client, can attest to that statistic. Prior to arriving at WRCC, she bounced from house to house. She eventually moved in with her mother. Over time, however, they began to have disagreements and she was asked to leave.

Having exhausted her social resources, Shawnicia briefly attempted to live in a motel. Not liking this unstable and expensive living situation, she turned to WRCC. She was homeless, out of a job, a new mother, and had an open DCF case. One might say she was a young woman who had fallen on hard times.

Not long after moving into WRCC, Shawnicia completed her Associate’s Degree and began working towards a Bachelor’s Degree. She also found a job and, most importantly, built a savings account. “The meals WRCC provides for my son and me are especially helpful in saving money,” she said. This is where we owe our readers and other supporters a huge thank you!

Homelessness generally requires people to choose between food, shelter, and other basic needs.Your time and resources, however, provide clients like Shawnicia the meals they need, allowing them to save money that would have otherwise been spent on food.

Because of your support, the Coalition has been able to give Shawnicia the stability she needed to get back on her feet and properly care for her now 20-month-old son. Without your generosity, WRCC couldn’t provide Shawnicia case management or access to a wide variety of resources and services. Because of you, Shawnicia has a beautiful and safe room in which to put her son to bed each night.

“It hasn’t always been a good experience… but I’m in a good place [in my life] now,” she said.

she’s just starting out donate now

text in!

To you, it may be just $20...

to her, it’s a whole day.

What does $20 buy you? A few lattés or a couple of movie tickets? Well, for Lilly and 250 other homeless youngsters who receive services from the Coalition every day, $20 buys more than that…

$20 provides one day of meals and services to a child at the Coalition and that’s just the beginning.

Your support gives homeless children access to a certified Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program, a licensed daycare, an on-site Boys & Girls Club, and child development services with counseling for “at-risk” and “in-crisis” kids.

Making a contribution is simple… Chances are your cell phone is within arm’s reach, right Just text iCare 20 to 91011.

TEXT TO PLEDGE is the Coalition’s new, quick and easy way to make a huge impac Look at Philip Arlen, a first time donor to the Coalition. His $20 text donation gave a chil Lilly food and support for one day. “After viewing the pictures that were displayed [at He of Gold], I really believed in the cause… I have a strong desire to help humanity,” he said.

Our TEXT TO PLEDGE campaign only lasts until June 15, 2012.

So make your contribution now and spread the word, because in the larger scheme of things, $20 can go a lot further than lattés or movie tickets.

For more information, contact Tracie Morris at tracie.morris@cflhomeless. org or 407.426.1265.

Give Back spring flings

&

fall festivals

0 much

n,

s

t?

ct. ld like earts

Valencia Community College (VCC) hosted their annual Spring Fling at the Coalition’s Center for Women and Families on March 31st. The afternoon included face painting, musical chairs, and a bounce house, but the event’s impact on our clients was much more significant.

“The party is an opportunity for the parents to have a little bit of a break. We want to give them a timeout to take care of themselves, while giving their children a fun and nurturing Saturday activity,” shared Rachel Allen, Professor of Humanities at VCC. In addition to the annual Spring Fling, the VCC group hosts an annual Fall Festival.

Rachel has been helping with the Spring Fling and Fall Festival for seven years. Alongside other VCC faculty, staff and students, Rachel makes sure the Coalition’s homeless families have an afternoon, each spring and fall, to step away from their troubles and just have fun.

“I always tell my students to get down on their knees, look the kids in the eyes, and be present with them,” said Rachel. “It’s amazing that all they really want from us is love and attention – that’s what we all want – and that’s something we can give them… It really is that simple.”

events

If you missed the 19th Annual Hearts of Gold, read the highlights below. Also be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming events…

We hope you’ve been frequenting the driving range, because the Doug Spencer 16th Annual Golf Challenge is just days away!

Participants will race around the Falcon’s Fire Golf Club championship golf course, competing to see who can play the most holes in five hours.

Who knew giving back could be so much fun?! By soliciting pledges for each hole they play, golfers will help the Coalition transform the lives of hundreds of Central Florida’s homeless individuals. Up for the challenge? Sign up now!

Can’t golf? We still need you! Become a golf sponsor. Your contribution will help provide a hand up to a better future for those who are homeless in our community.

For more information, contact Tracie Morris at tracie.morris@ cflhomeless.org or 407.426.1265.

DOUG SPENCER

16TH ANNUAL

GOLF CHALLENGE April 20, 2012

March 24, 2012 Over 1,000 government, business, and philanthropic leaders and concert enthusiasts went country at the Coalition’s 19th Annual Hearts of Gold at Hard Rock Live.

Grammy-nominated band Little Big Town, fabulous VIP receptions, and an enticing silent auction helped raise $143,000 to help change the lives of 4,000 homeless men, women, and children this year!

Special thanks to major sponsors Disney, Hilton Grand Vacations, WFTV Channel 9 Family Connection, K92.3, and all who made the event a huge success.

Find photos of the event on our Facebook page!

Interested in being part of our 20th Annual Hearts of Gold? Contact Tracie Morris now!

more athan ameal

Meal ore than a M 2 1 0 2 e rt h T . In one sho n u g e b s a h series mbling es get a hu e d n e tt a r, s u ho alition offer o C e th w o uals look at h eless individ m o h ’s a id r Central Flo eal. n just a m a h t e r o m on isits are held v l a e M a n ver y More tha esday of e u T d n o nd c the se light lunch a a e d lu c in month and us. main camp tour of our n May xt session o at e n e th s is orris Don’t m ct Tracie M ta n o C .

2 1 or 8, 20 meless.org o h fl c @ is r r r spot. tracie.mo reser ve you to 5 6 2 .1 6 407.42

May 8, 2012 August 25, 2012 Save the date! Share Our Strength’s 23rd Annual Taste of the Nation Orlando is on Augu st 25, 2012 at the Orlando Wor ld Cent er Marriott.

Nearly one in four children in America str uggles with hunger . Together we can dim inish this statistic. By enjoying cu linar y sensations prep ared

by Central Florida’s lea ding chefs and mixolo gists, you can do your part to end childhood hung er in America.

One hundred percen t of ticket sales will su ppor t Share Our Strength’s efforts. Coalition for th e Homeless of Central Florida and Second H ar vest Food Bank of Centra l Florida are the local beneficiaries of the m onies raised. The state wide beneficiar y is Florida Impact. Purchase your tickets now.

And don’t forget to ‘Li ke’ Taste of the Natio n Orlando on Facebook to stay informed!

meal serve groups

These are the dedicated groups who feed thousands at the Coalition every year. Most come through our kitchens every month like clockwork. All are deeply involved in an essential part of life at the Coalition - mealtime. Here’s to you, meal servers :) *Please excuse us if we missed your group. We would love to hear from you at coalition@cflhomeless.org.

impact

make an

A Place Called Hope AAA Access Lynx Adventist Health Systems All Saints Church of Winter Park Aloma Church Aloma United Methodist Church Apostolic Church of Jesus, Inc. Aretha Cross & Friends Arise Christian Church Arthur’s Catering Asbury United Methodist Church Ascension Lutheran Association of Managers of Innovation Atkins Global Bank of America Behind the Scenes Beth Tehillah Ministries Bishop Moore Catholic High School Board Members Bobes & Associates Bridgett & Friends Carl Hill Galloway Pioneer Club Carter Tabernacle Casselberry Rotary Club Central Florida Council of Asian American Youth Charles Schwab Cheryl Worrell & Friends Christ Church Unity Citrus Civitan of Orlando CNL Bank Community of Faith United Methodist Concord Street Church of Christ Congregation of Reformed Judaism Conway United Methodist Church – New Beginnings and Upper Room Cubic Simulation Dill Law Firm Discovery Church - Love Works EA Sports East Orlando Kiwanis Elevation Christian Church

Expedia Faith United Methodist Church Family Medical Fi Serv First Baptist Church of Central Florida First Baptist Church of Orlando First Baptist Church of Windermere First Christ Ministries First United Methodist Church of Orlando First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden Florida Hospital Application Services Florida Hospital Health Care System Florida Hospital Home Health Florida Hospital Nursing Staff Friends of Billy Higgins Gerald Richardson & Friends Glatting Jackson Good Samaritan Outreach Good Sheppard’s Church Grace Orlando Grand Bohemian Hotel Grower Ketcham Hard Rock Café Helpful Hoopla Helping Hands Outreach Hillcrest Elementary School Hindu Society Holy Cross Catholic Church - RCIA Holy Family Catholic Church Homewood Suites Iglesia Sanando La Tierra Ingrid Phillip & Friends Islamic Society of Central Florida J. M. Missions International Ministries Jack & Jill of America JLR Medical Group Joan Ali JoAnne Ferraro John Layton & Friends Junior Girl Scout Group Jupiter Lodge 22 Karen Persis

Knights of Rizal Lake Highland Preparatory School Lake Mary Preparatory School Living Word Church Lynette Simons & friends Ma’asim Touin Maggiano’s Markham Woods Seventh-Day Adventist Church Marriott Most Precious Blood Catholic Church Mount Sinai Seventh- Day Adventist Church Muslim Congress Nativity Catholic Church New Church of Faith North Orlando Seventh-Day Adventist Church Nurse on Call Nurses Who Care Oliver Family Foundation Opportunities Sales & Marketing Group Orangewood Dads & Daughters Orangewood High School Service Club Orangewood Men’s Group Orangewood Presbyterian Church Youth Orlando Church of Christ Orlando Community Church Orlando Health Orlando Regional Assoc.

Patmos Chapel Seventh Day Adventist Pia Valvasorri Planet Hollywood Railey & Harding RCI Refuge 35 Refuge Touch Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church Schmid Construction

Sharon Warner Shirley Flores Softrock Community Outreach St. Andrews United Methodist Church St. James Catholic Church St. James Catholic School St. John Vianney Catholic Church St. Luke’s United Methodist Church St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church St. Margaret Mary- Youth St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church St. Mary Magdelan Catholic Church St. Luke’s Circle St. Stephen Lutheran Church Stan Pietkiewicz SunTrust Tamara & Frank Wilson Teresa Perry & Family The Gathering The Life Center Church The Rotary Club of Maitland The Servites of St. Catherine of Siena The South Seminole Rotary Club Tijuana Flats Traveler’s Insurance Group TriQuint Semiconductor UCF Pre-dental Ultimate Life Church United Stationers Unity Church of Christianity University of Central Florida Valencia Community College Veronica Eugene & Friends Volunteer Vixens Walt Disney World Wells Fargo Winter Park Presbyterian Church Worship & Praise Center WRCC Board XL 106.7 Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity

You don’t have to be wealthy to make a significant impact!! Did you know that in addition to the support you give to Coalition for the Homeless through gifts of your time, treasures, and talents, you can also include a provision in a trust or will, or make Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc. a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan? By giving us an interest in virtually any asset that you own, you can reduce the size of your taxable estate and leave a lasting gift to help the Coalition serve families in need right now. To find out more information on how you can make a bigger impact and leave your legacy, please contact Lisa Hicks, CFRE in the Development Department at 407-872-5791.