CONNECT | October 2013

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JOHN’S STORY MEET CATHERINE CROSS WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY

FIVE HUNDRED PENNIES…30.48 CENTIMETERS I know...you are raising your eyebrows and wondering. Look again. It is one of the most recognized jingles in advertisements right now. See it now? Five dollar foot long?

It is the successful campaign of Subway, touting the low price of a big sandwich.

So what does that have to do with your reading this? My point is, what may not seem familiar or obvious when expressed one way becomes clear when expressed in another. We often talk about “helping” us help those in need; yet it is not really clear what we mean. So, I thought I would clarify by expressing it in another way. Here are FIVE specific ways you can help.

INVEST IN OUR WORK. We need the continued generosity of our supporters to carry on the work we do for those in desperate need. Our services transform lives and move individuals to independence and self-sufficiency.

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

VOLUNTEER. We have dozens of ways you can help for a day or an hour. Visit our website at centralfloridahomeless.org to learn more.

CONDUCT A SUPPLY DRIVE. An Immediate Needs List of items that are perfect for a religious or civic group to collect is posted on our website and several are mentioned here on the back cover. These items are critical to our current operations. (We also NEED 300 pairs of men’s elastic-waisted sweatpants, size medium and up, to help us move into the new Men’s Service Center.)

BE A TABLE CAPTAIN. Our Journey Home Breakfast is on November 19. Invite nine friends to join you for a breakfast that is informative and inspirational. See page 2 or our website for more details, or call 407.426.1256.

LEAVE A LEGACY GIFT. Simply stated, this allows you to put Coalition for the Homeless in your will and provides us with a future investment.

Five ways. It’s that simple.

Sincerely,

Brent A. Trotter President/CEO

LETTER

BETTER

lives

BETTER

opportunities

THANKS

to you Having written a science fiction fantasy trilogy, John is a talented author. After owning and selling a bookkeeping business in North Carolina, he relocated to Orlando in 2000. During his time here, John worked at a large supermarket chain, but lost his job when the store permanently closed its doors in 2008. At age 60, finding another position was difficult. Too young to receive retirement benefits and unable to find work, John was ultimately evicted from his home.

Upon entering the Coalition’s First Steps Substance Abuse Recovery Program for the first time, John’s mood was bad and he wasn’t sure what he was going to do.

After learning about the numerous programs the Coalition provides, John began to feel that, “There’s actually hope left in the world. I can actually get my life back.”

He now praises the program and its importance, saying that it is very important.

John struggled with alcohol addiction in the past, but has since been in recovery.

Seeing others struggle with addiction, John shares, “They are where I was. It’s heartbreaking to see.”

John has developed a positive outlook on life, despite the setbacks he has faced.

Currently receiving educational training through the Orange County Public Schools LifeStrides Program, he is taking accounting operations classes to assist in his return to the workforce. John wants to successfully complete the accounting program, which we have no doubt he will do. His ultimate goal is to find a job and he hopes more opportunities will be available once he completes his courses.

John credits his case manager for contributing to his success, as he understands men that are in John’s situation and is always there when needed. “Knowing that there is someone who can help you is very important. It’s a good feeling,” says John. When asked about the new Men’s Service Center being built on the Coalition’s main campus, John responds, “I think it’s fantastic. People in our situation don’t have much to be happy about, but this is great.”

“THERE’S ACTUALLY HOPE LEFT IN THE WORLD. I CAN ACTUALLY GET MY LIFE BACK.” CLIENTS

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HAVING

>>>>

fun

&difference MAKING A

HUNGER and HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK NOVEMBER 16 - 24, 2013

During National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, the Coalition will take part in this nationwide effort to bring greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness in Central Florida.

Make sure to wear purple on Friday, November 22 to show your support! We also invite you to check centralfloridahomeless.org for other ways to get involved.

JOURNEY HOME BREAKFAST NOVEMBER 19, 2013

Join us at The Rosen Centre Hotel on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 for our upcoming Journey Home Breakfast.

This free event features heartfelt stories of men, women, and children whose lives have been transformed with help from people like you. To attend as a guest, RSVP by Tuesday, November 12 to 407.426.1256 or development@cflhomeless.org.

More than a meal

OCTOBER 8, NOVEMBER 12, & DECEMBER 10, 2013 On the second Tuesday of every month, the Coalition invites you to a light lunch and an informational tour of our main campus. In one short hour, you’ll get an inspiring, firsthand look at how Coalition for the Homeless is helping homeless men, women and families with children return to a life of independence. For more information, contact the Development Department at 407.426.1256 or development@cflhomeless.org to RSVP.

taste of the nation: thank you!

Share Our Strength’s 24th Annual Taste of the Nation Orlando was held on August 10, 2013. The event was a huge success, raising more than $245,000! As one of the local beneficiaries of the event, many thanks go out to the Taste of the Nation committee, chefs, corporate sponsors, hosting venue Orlando World Center Marriott, volunteers, and guests who made it all possible.

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EVENTS

GIVING BACK MEET CATHERINE CROSS

Catherine Cross’ desire to help those in need inspired her to become involved as an artist with the Art by Coalition Children (ABCs) Program. She is an active volunteer who has invested five years in the program, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in October.

Catherine feels there is a need to work for peace through the arts. Her passion led to her invitation to become an outreach art teacher at the Orlando Museum of Art through their Disney Helping Kids Shine grant. This grant provides quality studio art programs for children living at the Coalition. Initially designed just for teens, Catherine saw the need to engage children of ALL ages and their families. “Working with the Coalition as an artist, art advisor on the ABCs Committee, and facilitator has taken a volunteer interest and turned it into a heartwarming experience,” says Catherine. “I am able to witness joy in the eyes of children, families and individuals as they leave their cares behind and are free to create.”

Catherine believes the dedication and consistency of volunteers over the years has helped the Coalition’s art program grow. This month the program format changed to an open center for all the children and families served at our Women’s Residential and Counseling Center (WRCC). In addition, special field trips to the Orlando Museum of Art are planned; and the museum schedules internationally renowned artists to visit the art room at WRCC and work with the children.

“I am working…for change and peace through the arts,” Catherine shares. “It is exciting for me to watch entire families engage in the arts! Watching self-esteem and confidence soar, I am hopeful that the experiences with creativity and art provide skills that empower creative

decision making, provide experience for collaboration and contributing to a community and promote loving family relations where empathy for others and peace can prevail.”

When she is not working with arts education programs or speaking about art at conferences, Catherine can be found creating her own art, swimming, walking in the fields and mountains of the Carolina’s or deep in the Low Country islands working on a Sustainable Farm Project.

ABCs ART SALE You can purchase original artwork - including paintings, drawings and photographs – all framed and ready to hang.

View the gallery at CENTRALFLORIDAHOMELESS.ORG and contact Kristen Martin at kristen.martin@cflhomeless. org to purchase.

VOLUNTEERS

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SunTrust Bank representatives Deana Lewis, Marina Nice, Teresa Colling, and Kristin Klebacha presented this $25,000 check to Coalition President/CEO Brent Trotter. SunTrust Foundation was the first corporate partner in our Journey Home Campaign Women in Philanthropy Initiative!

More than 30 volunteers from the Adventist University of Health Sciences took the time to not only host a water day for our daycare kids, but serve lunch to our clients, scrub the children’s playground so it remains a beautiful place to have fun, and mulch our grounds.

YOUR DOLLARS

Many of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers gave the kids who call the Coalition home a chance to start school in style at our Back to School Festival. Children were given supplies, new shoes, a new outfit and a haircut, all thanks to you.

AT WORK

The Coalition could not do what we do without

YOU!

$$$ 4 CONTRIBUTORS

The opening of Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida’s Men’s Service Center (MSC) is rapidly approaching! We are thrilled to be able to provide hope to a greater number of homeless men such as John. (See page 1)

The Coalition was honored to receive $40,000 through the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a McCormick Foundation fund.

The generous donation will help support our Community Housing Program.

WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY

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I am honored to chair this exciting initiative to continue Central Florida’s legacy of women helping women.” – Barbara Stuart

Women and children comprise the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in America. The Coalition strives to meet the needs of these vulnerable citizens through our Center for Women and Families (CFW) and Women’s Residential and Counseling Center (WRCC). But we cannot do it alone.

Our Women in Philanthropy (WIP) initiative is part of the Coalition’s Journey Home Major Gifts Campaign. WIP is seeking 100 women, companies and foundations to give or pledge $5,000 over the next five years.

The goal of WIP is to raise $500K to help sustain programs, services, and operations at our CWF and WRCC. This grassroots fundraising initiative has garnered much attention in its first eight months. To date, more than $130K has been raised or pledged. In addition, a group of 20 women have joined the WIP Advisory Council, with Coalition Board Member Barbara Stuart leading the charge as our Chairman!

Plans in the initiative’s second year include establishing More than a Meal Tours at WRCC and securing our final 75 women.

All WIP members will be recognized on a special donor wall to acknowledge today’s donors and those of years past. We

are also attempting to locate descendants of the women philanthropists who gave in the 1940’s and 1950’s to continue the legacy of women helping women in our community.

You have the opportunity to be part of something big! Contact the Development Department for additional information at 407.426.1256 or at development@cflhomeless.org Thank you to the following women, who are the first members of our WIP initiative: • • • • • • • • • • •

Corporate Sponsor: SunTrust Bank Diane Kirk Joanne Adams Leslie Chalfont Lisa Lorenze Hicks Jenn Hollern & Abby Prokop Christine Kefauver Cynthia Kuykendall Dana Loncar Mary Mullee Marina Nice

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Lee Nimkoff Kay Rawlins Abigail Roofner Denise Saxton Katherine S. Schimmelpfennig Cindy Schooler Laurie Stephens Barbara Stuart Holly Stuart Diane Stull Pam Thomas Michelle Wood

grants

$10,000-$19,999 Publix Super Markets Charities Winifred Johnson Clive Foundation

$1,000-$4,999 Enterprise Holdings Foundation The Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation

$20,000-$29,999 S.L. Gimbel Foundation Advised Fund at The Community Foundation Serving the Counties of Riverside and San Bernandino, California Universal Orlando Foundation Walmart Foundation

$5,000-$9,999 TD Charitable Foundation The Chesley G. Magruder Foundation The TJX Foundation Orange County (California) Community Foundation

$30,000-$49,999 Abram and Ray Kaplan Foundation Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a McCormick Foundation fund

CONTRIBUTORS

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639 West Central Boulevard Orlando, FL 32801 407.426.1250 CentralFloridaHomeless.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman

Vice Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

President/CEO

Timothy R. Baker, AIA Baker Barrios Architects, Inc. Randy E. Schimmelpfennig Morgan & Morgan, P.A. Elena H. Norman Hilton Grand Vacations Brian P. Buwalda, CPA CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP Brent A. Trotter Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc.

Christopher Annunziato, Holland & Knight LLP Carlos A. Barrios PE, Stephens-Barrios Bakari F. Burns, Health Care Center for the Homeless, Inc. Fara K. Dantzler, Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Eric David, Expedia Local Expert Sylvia Doggett-Jones, Darden Restaurants, Inc. Tracey L. Ellerson, Baker Hostetler LLP Glenn M. Fournier, Fournier & Associates, Inc. Jim Fritz, Orlando Magic Eric D. Gassman, Orange County Government John E. Hearn, Orlando Utilities Commission David Jasmund, PCE Investment Bankers, Inc. Christine S. Kefauver, City of Orlando Fred R. Kittinger, Jr., University of Central Florida Ronald R. Lamb, SunTrust Bank Trevor Larsen, PE, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Sean A. McLaughlin, CNL Financial Group / JDS Holdings, LLC Michael Miller, American Aviation Institute John P. Moskos, Bank of America Walter R. Nason, GrayRobinson, P.A. Lee Nimkoff, Brio Properties Laura L. Pooser, UCF College of Arts and Humanities John Rivers, 4R Restaurant Group Ty G. Roofner, Burr & Forman LLP John R. Schooler, Orlando Health Douglas M. Spencer, Spencer Consulting Services Scott R. Stahley, Lincoln Property Company of Florida, Inc. Samuel C. Stephens III, ZOM, Inc. Barbara Larson Stuart, The Stuart Group Charles Tews, Tews Company Richard G. Wack, Mediation Services of Central Florida, Inc. Robert F. Wagner, Tupperware Brands Corp.

Bill L. Warren, Reedy Creek Improvement District Michael Weinberg, HFF, L.P. Brian T. Wilson, Dellecker Wilson King McKenna Ruffier & Sos Mark Woodbury, Universal Parks & Resorts Aaron Zandy, Ford & Harrison LLP

IMMEDIATE NEEDS We depend exclusively on you to help provide our clients with much-needed supplies. The items below may seem simple, but they mean the world to our residents.

• • • • •

Baby wipes Razors Deodorant Underwear (new - men’s and women’s) Socks (new - men’s and women’s)

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