in:Captions - January 2013

in: captions THE COALITION

l l l JANUARY 2013

2013

Our year for homeless men 639 W. Central Blvd. l Orlando, FL 32801 CentralFloridaHomeless.org

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407.426.1250

“It’s all about you.” Who among us has not heard or said that?

Yet as we look back on 2012, we truly can say “it’s all about you.” This was a great year and it was all because of you.

You gave generously. You volunteered eagerly. And as a result, we were able to serve our clients each and every day.

In the midst of a continuing sluggish economy, you stayed the course and helped us meet the basic needs of those who experienced homelessness. We say it often, but not often enough; we couldn’t do what we do without you.

FROM OUR

FAMILY

TO YOURS

While we look back fondly, 2013 brings new opportunities and challenges. A few weeks ago, in fact, we watched the “topping off” of our new Men’s Service Center with great excitement. We look forward with anticipation to providing much needed services to one of the most underserved segments of the homeless population, homeless men, in this upcoming facility.

We are grateful for your continued support. It’s all about you…helping us do what we do.

Brent A. Trotter President/CEO

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holiday thanks

Thank you from all of us at the Coalition for making the holidays brighter!

Because of the generous Central Florida community, the homeless men, women, and children at Coalition for the Homeless truly felt the warmth and magic of the holidays.

Throughout December, the Coalition was transformed into a winter wonderland as you all provided decorations, a visit from Santa, several holiday parties, arts and crafts activities, Christmas gifts, filled stockings, and entertainment!

In addition to all of that, you also continued to provide the essential items from our immediate needs list. With these items, our clients’ stay in our facilities is made as comfortable and dignified as possible.

Thank you from all of us at the Coalition for making the

In October 1998, David Torres signed up to volunteer at Coalition for the Homeless with a group from his church – a one-time thing he thought.

But 14 years later, David remains one of our most loyal supporters!

On the first and third Saturday of every month, David and the Good Samaritan Outreach come to the Coalition’s main campus to prepare and serve lunch in the Men’s Pavilion.

“It touches your heart – the work the Coalition does and what the clients are going through,” he said.

Nearly 40 volunteers, under the leadership of David, pile out of their vehicles bringing enough food to feed the many homeless men who stay in the Men’s Pavilion. This isn’t just any lunch though. The group brings a DJ, a band, and sometimes even dancers.

“Over the past 14 years, I’ve seen so many lives turned around here.”

“We try to inspire these guys as much as we can…I enjoy being able to do something, just being part of what the Coalition is doing,” said David. “Over the past 14 years, I’ve seen so many lives turned around here.”

We say it time and again: our volunteers are game changers. You are the people who transform the lives of Central Florida’s homeless individuals. We certainly see it happen every time David and the Good Samaritan Outreach come to serve!

Paul was an addict who, as some might say, had hit rock bottom when he turned to the Coalition for help.

“I want to be self-sufficient and never look back. I want to be someone…”

Fortunately, because of our supporters like David Torres, Paul was able to receive nutritious meals in addition to the shelter, showers, and laundry facilities in the Men’s Pavilion.

After staying in the Pavilion for some time, Paul became inspired to change his situation. “I was homeless and uneducated. I didn’t even have a high school diploma,” he said. “I got tired of it.” He had heard about the First Steps Substance Abuse Recovery program and decided, then and there, to join.

Paul completed the initial component of the First Steps program and subsequently moved into one of our nine on-site transitional apartments. This provided him with supplementary time to practice the skills necessary to live independently.

In addition to achieving sobriety at the Coalition, Paul received educational and vocational training through the Orange County Public Schools LifeStrides program. He earned his GED and enrolled in the heating and air conditioning program at Mid Florida Tech, where he acquired an EPA and HVAC certification.

“I want to be self-sufficient and never look back. I want to be someone… I don’t want to have to worry anymore,” Paul said.

FRIDAY

MARCH 1 at UNIVERSAL CITYWALK Join us on March 1, 2013 as Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida celebrates the 20th Anniversary of our Hearts of Gold concert event with Southern Rock classic, 38 Special. We will be joined by nearly 2,000 guests including business and community leaders, local media, and equally important, Coalition volunteers and supporters.

Who When Where what

Featuring Southern Rock classic 38 Special Friday, March 1, 2013 Hard Rock Live at Universal Citywalk Concert event benefiting Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida

sponsored by Š

RANDY SCHIMMELPFENNIG

heartsofgoldc

oncert.com

MORE THAN A MEAL

HEARTS OF GOLD

How does your support provide more than a meal to 650 homeless men, women, and children every day at Coalition for the Homeless? Find out at a More than a Meal tour.

Join us on March 1, 2013 at Hard Rock Live at Universal CityWalk for the 20th Anniversary Hearts of Gold concert, featuring southern rock classic 38 Special!

February 12, 2013

On the second Tuesday of every month at 11:30 a.m., the Coalition opens its doors and invites you to a light lunch and inspiring look at what we do.

Sign up online or contact the Development Department to join next month’s tour!

an ath ameal

March 1, 2013

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This premiere benefit concert will feature an optional VIP reception and silent auction that you won’t want to miss.

Visit heartsofgoldconcert.com for tickets, sponsorships, and other details.

heartsof gold

get

connected You are part of what holds our organization together. Getting connected with the Coalition means connecting our neighbors in need to solutions that end their crisis of homelessness. They cannot do this alone.

GOLF CHALLENGE

PICTURES OF HOPE

April 19, 2013

Unlike any other golf tournament, the Coalition’s Golf Challenge brings together golfers of all skill levels to race around Falcon’s Fire Golf Club and see who can play the most holes.

Even if you are not a golfer, there are ways to get involved in this fun and exciting afternoon! Contact Tracie Morris, Director of Development, or the Development Department at 407.426.1256 for more information about this year’s Challenge!

We look forward to seeing you there on April 19, 2013.

Last September, award-winning photojournalist and author Linda Solomon brought “Pictures of Hope” to Coalition for the Homeless.

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Thanks to Linda and David Maus Chevrolet, 15 Coalition kids were given a photography lesson, surprised with cameras, and asked to capture their hopes and dreams on film.

The kids’ creative images have since been turned into note cards available to purchase right from our website.

100% of proceeds will benefit the Coalition. Order yours now!

Planned giving

Leaving a legacy of hope and opportunity today for a brighter future for many generations to come.

IRA Charitable Rollover is back!

If you are looking for the most tax-effective gift to Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, you can once again help others with Tax-Free gifts from your IRA, but you need to act before February 1, 2013!

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which recently passed Congress, extended the IRA charitable rollover provision until December 31, 2013. This provision allows tax-free distributions to eligible charities of up to $100,000 per taxpayer per year from an IRA held by someone age 70 ½ or older. The extension is retroactive to January 1, 2012. It enables donors to make distributions directly to these charities and elect to have them treated as qualified charitable distributions in 2012, as long as they do so before February 1, 2013.

Discover the Benefits of Giving Wisely Did you know there are many creative ways to support the Coalition? Ways in which you, your loved ones, and the Coalition all benefit at the same time! These giving techniques are called “Planned Gifts,” because with thoughtful planning, you create win-win solutions for yourself and Coalition for the Homeless. For example, you can: • Make a gift that costs nothing during your lifetime.

• Give stock and realize larger tax savings.

• Get a monthly paycheck for life in return for your gift.

• Donate your house, continue to live there, and get a tax break all at the same time.

We can help you...

• • • •

Identify your philanthropic goals.

Discover gifts anyone can make.

See how gifts can provide you an income.

Explore gifts that protect assets.

Making a planned gift is one of the best ways to support our community and address the issues of homelessness. Planned gifts allow donors to make a significant impact on those in need over an extended period of time, while taking advantage of many benefits, including: • Fulfilling charitable goals.

• Designing a charitable gift to reflect special interests.

• Reducing taxes.

• Increasing income.

Please Note: Planned Gifts consist of legal documents. Please consult with your attorney, accountant, or financial advisor about planning and implementing these gifts.

For more information: Lisa Hicks Vice President of Philanthropy 407.872.5791 Lisa.Hicks@cflhomeless.org

A word from our blog

Thank you to Bill Warren, our outgoing Board Chairman, for his hard work and commitment to the Coalition ever since he joined the Board in October 2007, and particularly as Chairman for the past year!

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