On a single evening in 2023, the United States bore witness to approximately 653,000* individuals grappling with homelessness. Of these, nearly 60% found refuge in sheltered environments, including emergency shelters and transitional housing programs, while over 40% endured the harsh realities of unsheltered living, be it on the streets, within the desolate confines of abandoned structures, or other inhospitable spaces.
The truth is stark—no one relegated to the streets can truly experience the restorative power of sleep. Even those of us fortunate enough to have a roof over our heads can struggle with the challenges of falling and staying asleep. This reality illustrates how swiftly circumstances can deteriorate when one is without shelter.
A secure and comfortable sleeping environment is not merely a comfort; it is a cornerstone of mental and physical health, offering individuals a fighting chance to forge a path out of homelessness.
Sleep is indispensable to our overall health and wellbeing. Adequate and quality rest not only safeguards our mental and physical health but also enhances our safety. For those enduring the harshness of the streets, achieving a restful night’s sleep is an elusive dream, exacerbating the cycle of homelessness and unemployment.
Over time, the absence of quality sleep can severely impact one’s well-being. It paves the way for diminished self-esteem, social isolation, and the intensification or emergence of mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Furthermore, the physical toll of sleep deprivation is profound. Chronic sleep deficits can escalate the risk of serious health issues, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory ailments, and even cancer, underscoring the critical need for accessible and adequate sleeping conditions for all.
*Fact Sheet: 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report Key Findings from the Point-in-Time Counts
The Dignity Bus has a clear and compassionate mission: to offer safe, temporary overnight shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness in Indian River County. Our goal is straightforward—to offer a haven for those without a place to sleep, ensuring their safety and well-being as they navigate their journey back to stability and independence.
The inaugural Dignity Bus is in Indian River County. It is a 45-foot vehicle, equipped with 20 secure, climate-controlled individual sleeping pods. Each pod features a privacy curtain, a lockable door, under-bus storage, and specialized pet pods for companion animals. For added security, the bus includes an on-board overnight security personnel, a private restroom, and monitored CCTV surveillance, offering up to 7,300 safe sleeps per year. The second bus, mirroring the first in amenities but housed within a 40-foot frame, accommodates 16 individuals each night, ensuring a safe and restful sleep.
The Dignity Bus stands out as a singular and exceptional initiative, made possible by the generous support of our compassionate community members. It serves as a vital lifeline for the local homeless population in Indian River County, including those who are currently without shelter or are at-risk of becoming homeless. Our mission is to address an unmet need, offering targeted assistance without duplicating existing services, thereby directly responding to the immediate needs of those we serve.
While we acknowledge that our accommodation is not a permanent solution, we are committed to offering a safe, temporary, and comfortable refuge for the night. Our goal is to provide dignity and a moment of respite for our guests, amidst their challenges.
Sleeping Pod with privacy curtain closed
Sheriff Eric Flowers with The Source Executive Director, Anthony Zorbaugh
On June 5th, the Woonsocket City Council in Rhode Island took a significant step towards addressing homelessness in their community by unanimously voting to acquire a Dignity Bus®. This initiative, supported by a 6-0 vote, involves a $150,000 investment in a mobile shelter that will be operated daily by the local nonprofit, Community Care Alliance (CCA). The CCA, contributing $90,000 for staffing, will manage the bus, providing overnight accommodation and day-time social services under the guidance of their President and CEO.
This acquisition positions Woonsocket as the second city in the nation to deploy a Dignity Bus®, showcasing their innovative approach to combat homelessness. The Woonsocket Dignity Bus®, equipped with 20 beds, aims to significantly reduce the number of individuals living on the streets by offering more than half of the homeless population a safe place to sleep at night. It follows the pioneering initiative in Vero Beach, where the first Dignity Buses®, funded by The Source and its donors, have provided over 13,000 safe sleeping spots annually. These buses were constructed by a dedicated team of Source members, who brought their carpentry and construction expertise to the project, driven by a personal connection to the cause and a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference in their community.
Councilwoman Valerie Gonzalez thanks The Source for bringing Rhode Island’s first Dignity Bus®. Take a snapshot of the QR code to the right to see the full interview on YouTube.
In the heart of Bourbonnais, IL, a remarkable transformation has taken place, thanks to the collaborative efforts of The Source and Fortitude Community Outreach (FCO). As the winter months draw near, a dream has materialized into a tangible reality for FCO, marking a significant milestone in their mission to serve the homeless community of Kankakee County.
Introducing “The Night Fort,” a newly operational Dignity Bus®, joining forces with its counterpart, the Day Fort service center, to provide comprehensive support to hundreds of homeless individuals annually. This initiative is fueled by the dedication of numerous volunteers and the unwavering support of the local community, truly embodying the spirit of unity and compassion.
The journey of the Dignity Bus®, spearheaded by Anthony Zorbaugh, Executive Director of The Source, began on October 10th from Vero Beach, covering over 1,300 miles to reach its new home on October 12th. This endeavor marks the fourth conversion under their belt, and notably, the second bus to extend its reach nationally.
The Night Fort stands out as the first of its kind in the nation to offer shelter with wheelchair access, a feature that came to fruition through the serendipitous discovery of a bus equipped with a rear lift. Dawn Broers, Executive Director of FCO, expressed her gratitude for this addition, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and accessibility within their services. By accommodating special needs, the bus now houses 19 beds, including one fully accessible for individuals with disabilities, underscoring the commitment to leaving no one behind.
Tony continues to get calls and emails from non-profits located in cities across the country who are also interested in the concept of a Dignity Bus® for the homeless in their own communities. “While we were in the O’Hare airport awaiting our flight back to Florida from Illinois, I received a call from an organization in nearby Orlando interested in owning a Dignity Bus®,” Tony shares. “We are profoundly overwhelmed. We knew we had a unique idea that could serve the homeless population as a short term housing remedy. This is becoming a means-to-an-end for many people. We have 36-beds (in two buses) locally and now have 39-beds (in two buses) nationally. This is more than amazing, it’s simply a miracle.”
The bus building team receives check from FCO respresentative, third from the right.
Kyle Anthony J.R.
Did you know that we have provided over 10,000 sleeps on our Dignity Bus between July 1st 2022 and June 30, 2023? That is a cost savings to our community of just over $1,500,000 dollars on hotel rooms alone. Our Dignity Bus has also helped the community avoid $10 million in unrecoverable emergency room costs.
If a picture speaks 1,000 words, this video taken after the 4th bus was delivered to Illinois says it all. The reaction of the girls to seeing a Dignity Bus® for the first time is priceless.
“I think the Dignity Bus is excellent because it gets me off the street and gives me a safe place to sleep.”
“The bus was more comfortable than sleeping in my vehicle.”
Homelessness is one of the biggest problems we have across our country. Please join me in supporting this inspiring group taking positive action. I LOVE how they are attacking this. Check them out on their site iamthesource.org. Join me in supporting them. The fundraising will never be over! We have more buses and RV’s to convert!
“It’s nice to know that even though I am in a difficult time in my life that I have a place where I can go and not have to worry about having a place to sleep at night, a shower, food and a program that is helping me to learn skills that I can use to better myself.” - Steve Seaton, Dining with Dignity Student
We created a special program to subsidize costs and have named it Adopt-A-Pod.
Your donation to this program will make a difference for the homeless in our own community.
Please Check the Category (ies) that will best describe your Support of “Adopt-A-Pod” All donations are tax deductible
o I will Adopt-A-Pod (Each Pod is $3,000) # of Pods
o One Year o Two Years o Three Years OR
o General Donation for The IRC Dignity Buses®