The Source Dignity Programs 2023

HOME OF THE DIGNITY PROGRAMS

About The Source

We present the Gospel to those who are homeless, indigent, or in critical need; to lead them to a saving faith in Jesus Christ; to instill hope and motivation for improving their lives; and to assist them in obtaining the resources necessary to become productive citizens and achieve lasting life recovery.

The Source, a Christian outreach ministry, began in 1995 originally serving the needy by offering free meals and Bible Study from a tiny 600 sq. ft. plaza storefront. The Source has since grown into a comprehensive assistance center, operating from a 5,000 sq. ft. outreach facility open seven days a week, addressing the complex needs of the poor and homeless in Indian River County. Their purpose is to offer life-changing possibilities to residents in crisis; offering emergency hunger relief, clothing, counseling, support groups, hygiene items, showers, mail and telephone services, benefit referrals, cold weather refuge, and much more. With no current signs of economic progress, mothers, sisters, brothers, and in some cases, our very own friends, are becoming homeless or are on the brink of living in the streets. These are real people. They are families struggling to pay bills, single parents living paycheck to paycheck, or individuals who have lost their homes, hope, and their peace of mind. Some are sleeping in their cars. Some are living in tents. As first responders, The Source helps provide critical care for physical, spiritual, civic, and social needs.

Think of us as the emergency room for those in crisis…they come to us worn and weary, as though their life is literally on the line. We assess the damages, dress the wounds and prep the “patient” for further treatment. We welcome them into a community and help them get on their own two feet.

DINING WITH DIGNITY

The Dining with Dignity Training program offers culinary training as a way to change lives! The program helps unemployed men and women replace limited skills, homelessness, addiction, and incarceration with new careers. The Source’s 6, 12 or 16 week training program provides the basic skills in the food service industry.  We work with adults who are willing to do what it takes to change their lives.

Students who opt to continue further into the training program will become certified by the American Hotel and Lodging Association enabling them to get better employment opportunities.

The Core Curriculum includes:

• Classroom – ”hands on” kitchen training

• State of Florida ServSafe/SafeStaff certification

• Knife skills, recipe proportions, meal planning, sautéeing, baking, etc.

• Nutritional Planning

• Financial Literacy

• Life skills and Interpersonal skills

• Individual and group counseling

• Stipend each week and graduation bonus

• Job placement assistance and post-graduate support

Call to make an appointment with a Case Manager at 772-564-0202.

The process will include an interview, mental health screening, a commitment to one week of volunteer service, ability to pass a drug test, no drug or alcohol use and must attend all program classes. Upon graduation, the candidate will receive job placement, a uniform along with nonslip shoes, and an employment housing bonus after 3 months of continued employment. Post-graduate assistance is also available as needed.

DIGNITY BUS

We are now producing buses on a national level.

The Source had one simple focus in creating the Dignity Bus; to provide a safe, temporary overnight accommodation for those sleeping rough in Indian River County. The aim was to get people off the street and keep them safe and healthy until they can get back on their feet. This overnight, mobile, emergency shelter on wheels, is the only one of its kind in the country.

According to the Housing Urban Development Report of 2021, there were nearly 553,000 people experiencing homelessness in the United States and more than one-third were in unsheltered locations such as on the street, in abandoned buildings, or in other places not suitable for human habitation.

FACT: Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being. Getting enough quality sleep can help protect a person’s mental and physical health, and ultimately their safety. For those sleeping rough, getting a good night’s sleep is virtually impossible and can contribute to long-term homelessness, low self-esteem, social isolation, and the exacerbation or development of specific mental health disorders including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder and raise the risk for some chronic health problems such as, diabetes, heart health, breathing problems, breast cancer, as well as contributing to a high risk of drug and alcohol abuse.

SOLUTION: DIGNITY BUS: A donated 45 foot tour bus was refitted with a custom-made interior and exterior, providing 20 secure, climate-controlled, individual sleep pods with a lockable door, under-bus storage, pet pods for companion animals, an on-board overnight security person, monitored CCTV surveillance and a free hot breakfast. One Dignity Bus provides 7,300 safe sleeps per year. Upon departure from the bus in the morning, clean-up and disinfecting of the sleeping pods prepares it for the use of a new group arriving for that night’s sleep.

A second converted 40 foot bus was welcomed in 2023 that sleeps 16 with all of the same amenities and offers 5,840 safe sleeps per year.

DIGNITY FOOD TRUCKS

When you are looking for made-to-order food close-to-home or work, and you want it convenient, tasty and easy-to-find, now’s the time to look no further than The Dignity Food Truck conceived by and operated fully by The Source.

Thanks to a grant by Impact 100, The Source implemented the first Dignity Food Truck, a social enterprise that is geared to selling their award-winning foods throughout the community. It also provides a training opportunity for homeless culinary students to make made-to-order food and to get hands-on training with real customers.

Now, there are multiple food trucks on the road Monday through Friday. Cooking begins at 11 a.m. until the food is sold out! Customers will not only enjoy the food and convenience, but they will also be contributing to homeless culinary students perfecting their knowledge in the kitchen and being able to gain employment in the food business. All monies derived are used to support programs and services at The Source.

The Food Truck can be found at local businesses as well as being a vendor at local community events, school sporting games, or private functions presented by businesses or charitable organizations as well as appreciation breakfasts and lunches. The Food Truck has also traveled out-of-town to help serve hope and food to hungry and homeless people devastated by major catastrophes.

DIGNITY CATERING

Dignity Catering offers Dining with Dignity students the opportunity to give back to the community and help them in their efforts to gain outside employment by cooking and delivering well balanced meals and beverages to Indian River County businesses and organizations, as well as catering private events.

As an extension of Dining with Dignity, culinary students get an opportunity to work on the Dignity Food trucks, preparing and delivering made-to-order food to the public. They also participate in preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner daily for members of The Source. They take orders and work with the kitchen staff to prepare food and serve meals to those who have ordered from the made-to-order menu.

Scan this QR code to see our catering menu

DIGNITY WELLNESS

The Source has recently been awarded the 2023 Impact 100 grant of $100,000 and an additional $12,000 from the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Foundation to accomplish the goal of providing mental health counseling to our members, including mental health first aid training for staff, to assess and identify the need for assistance and the tools to respond accordingly. The Dignity Wellness program is designed to supply outreach to the community to increase awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health.

Wellness Wellness

On the road to mental health...

According to Anthony Zorbaugh, Executive Director of The Source, “These gifts are life transformational for our organization. Providing Mental Health for our members to move out of homelessness will have a major impact in our community, and the support from organizations such as Impact 100 and the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Foundation will be the foundation of our success in doing all that.”

It’s been slightly over two years since The Source launched mental health programs and services for their members who were suffering from significant issues and having nowhere to turn for help. After organizing and implementing a solid mental health component, under the leadership of Charlene Morris, LMHC, MCAP, Director of Mental Health, and a Certified Addiction Professional, a three phase plan has been developed and successfully implemented. The plan deals with varied components including coaching for The Source employees, transitioning new members into the Dining with Dignity Program, and providing full-service sessions for all members entering the building which begins with a personal needs assessment and interview.

“As we have watched the success of our programs through the growth of our members, we assessed that the present mental health services showed a necessity to transition from our twice-a-week counseling services for individuals experiencing a crisis and start a new full-service program, ” shares Zorbaugh. “With Charlene Morris at the helm of the transformation, and with the addition of two very generous donations from local foundations, the Dignity Wellness program will soon provide mental health and wellness services daily to meet the needs of Source members.”

DIGNITY JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Assembly Jobs for Members of The Source

For well over two years, The Source’s Dignity Job Opportunities Program has been offered to their members to gain employment experience and a dignified income. With the guidance of former Employment Specialist Jade Alexander, now the Director of Operations, The Source partnered with B.E. Princess, Inc. a private and corporate aviation supplier, who provides on board supplies and accessories to aviation companies around the Country. The partnership has allowed Source members to successfully assemble Sic Sac® Motion Sickness Bags and earn a dignified income while feeling productive and appreciated.

While evaluating the positive reactions from those who have availed themselves of this employment opportunity, The Source has now expanded the program for more members to earn an income by applying for new positions needed to be filled at The Source that includes laundry and pantry attendants, bus custodians, grounds keepers and maintenance assistants.

This program allows Source members to earn a dignified income and reintegrate into society. There is documented evidence of the benefits to working and earning money beyond the financial benefits that we all know about.

The skills learned on these jobs will make individuals more valuable to future employers.

COMMUNITY WORKS

The Source has officially added Community Works to its roster of Dignity Job Opportunities

There’s an endless stream of new and exciting programs coming out of The Source, and their newest is called Community Works. It is designed to help the community’s public streets and properties become clean, while at the same time, allowing Source members to earn a paycheck.

The idea has members performing community service projects, not unlike those beach cleanups that are done by local organizations on a fairly regular basis, or even those that high school students need to perform earning credits prior to their graduation.

According to Anthony Zorbaugh, Executive Director of The Source, “Members participating are paid by our organization and dressed in uniforms while picking up trash along streets, lawns and alleyways that might smell, need pressure cleaning and do other work to help beautify the city. We have equipped an identifiable trailer with all the cleaning supplies needed to get the job done.”

Jade Alexander, Director of Operations for the organization sees this as a winning opportunity for the community and the members. “While our members are out and about cleaning, they can also encourage others to become productive members of society. Taking a positive approach to being productive in such a good communityminded spirit, while also earning money for their own living expenses, is not only kind, it’s smart thinking.”

DIGNITY VILLAGE DAILY | WEEKLY MONTHLY RENTALS

Now under remodeling is Dignity Village with 18 cottages; ten one-bedroom and four two-bedroom and four efficiency cottages within a self-contained plushly landscaped compound offering individuals an opportunity to be part of an amazing community in Indian River County.

DIGNITY SMILES

In 2021 The Source teamed up with Dr. Thomas J. Balshi, an ardent supporter of the organization and a Board Certified Prosthodontist (now retired) and Founder of The Institute for Facial Esthetics in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Understanding that many of members of The Source have dental issues that affect their appearance and ultimately can deter them from getting a job, they created Dignity Smiles, a dental restoration program designed for members of The Source.

Those members, who are graduates of the Culinary Program and prove they are prepared to work as respectable individuals, may be eligible to enter the dental restoration program. The program allows for dental services for one client per quarter, all of which is covered through the Dignity Smiles program.

What began as one dentist, Dr. Sadesh Kumar DMD, has now expanded to include: Dr. Claudia Pryszlak, DMD, of Viera Smile Studio located in Viera, Dr. Ramon Hernandez, DMD of Endodontic Associates of Brevard, Dr. Adam Jones DMD and his wife Dr. Giuliana Diaz Jones DDS of Premier Dental in Vero Beach, Dr. Denise M. Pieczynski, D.M.D. of Vero Beach and Dr. Eve Napoles, DMD of Nuva Dental in Vero Beach. The Dignity Smiles team also includes Joanne Balshi and Stephen Balshi, a leader in the digital laboratory component and President of CM Prosthetics contributing his dental prosthetics to those Source members in need of his services. Eleven members of The Source have received new Smiles thanks to this program.

Thomas Balshi, DDS, PhD, FACP

Joanne Balshi FUNDRAISER Stephen Balshi

Dr. Sadesh Kumar, DMD

Dr. Ramon Hernandez, DMD

Dr. Claudia Pryszlak, DMD

Dr. Eve Napoles, DDS

Dr. Adam Jones, DMD, MS

Dr. Giuliana Diaz Jones, DDS

Denise M. Pieczynski, DMD

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Meet Josh (featured on the cover)

Josh, once homeless and alone, discovered our Dignity Bus and restaurant-style dining service. These resources helped him regain a sense of belonging and led him to enroll in our Dining with Dignity Culinary Training Program. Over time, Josh’s passion for cooking blossomed and he formed lasting friendships with fellow students and instructors, who have become invested in his success.

Meet Adrienne

Supporting The Source means supporting individuals like Adrienne, who, despite being raised in a loving and privileged family with both parents, faced a tumultuous journey in her adult years. Addiction took control of her life, leading to a two-year period of homelessness filled with chaos, fear, humiliation, and confusion, leaving her with a lingering sense of anger.

Thankfully, Adrienne discovered The Source through word-of-mouth and sought refuge here, finding nourishment and showers. During her time at The Source, she experienced a transformative journey – getting baptized and securing a job with Dignity Jobs. Your support for The Source helps empower individuals like Adrienne to reclaim their lives and find new opportunities for growth and dignity.

Meet Russell

Russell spent 2 weeks in the woods before he found out about The Source and all our programs. Last December, at the end of his lease, his property manager raised his rent to $1,800 a month. Unfortunately, he couldn’t afford the increase, which led to him being homeless. Even though he lost his home, he kept working with the intent to save and get another place, but his car broke down at the same time. Russell has come a long way from the woods and is now the operator of one of the food trucks.

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Meet Leonard

Leonard is a hard working man who recently fell on hard times when his wife became sick with cancer and he could not afford both rent and her medicine. In an effort to do the right thing, Leonard found a safe place for his wife, put his belongings in storage and started coming to The Source for meals, showers and a safe sleep on the Dignity Bus. Leonard soon started working on the crew of Community Works and before long earned the position of crew leader. Since then Leonard has gotten his drivers license renewed and is now supervisor of the Community Works crew!

Meet Jessica

With unwavering determination, Jessica has successfully graduated The Dining with Dignity Program, marking the completion of her academic journey. This achievement stands as a testament to her hard work and commitment to personal growth.

Jessica has also found a place to call home, bringing stability and security to her life. The joy of having a safe and nurturing environment is immeasurable, and we celebrate this significant step in her life. Finally, with a deep conviction in her heart, Jessica has taken a spiritual step by getting baptized by Pastor Wayne. This symbolizes a profound commitment to her faith and spiritual journey. Adding to her accomplishments, Jessica has also embraced the opportunity to work at Mrs. Mac’s Filling Station where her dedication and skills will undoubtedly shine.

Meet Tommylee

Tommylee lost his job caring for a friend who passed away several years ago. When he tried to return to the workforce, he was unable to get a job in Homestead’s competitive job market. He spent the last 3 years homeless in Homestead until a friend told him about The Source in Vero Beach. He said he has received more services here in 2 weeks than the entire 3 years he was struggling in Homestead.

$12,060 Put Back Into The Local Economy

• 191,800 Sic Sacs completed

• $45,583 Used for client assistance, ie: new bicycles, gas vouchers, movie and bowling tickets, new clothes, prescriptions, bus and airline tickets home

TEN Lives Changed With A New Smile

• 10 Members of The Source now have bright, white shining smiles thanks to local dentist who have generously given of their time�

150+ Lives Uplifted With Free Mental Health Care

• 172 clinical counseling hours provided to members

• 68 people engaged in Smoking Cessation program

• 97 lives uplifted with mental health services through harm reduction, trauma-informed care

• 20 members referred to Intensive Outpatient, medication management and senior services�

It takes a lot of volunteers to make things run smoothly at The Source!

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer go to our website at iamthesource.org and submit a simple questionnaire.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bobby Lindsey, President

Pastor Wayne Traverse, Vice President

Marjorie Gaskins, Treasurer

Melinda Berg, Secretary

James Dornan, Board Member

Margaret Anne Evans, Board Member

Michelle Griffin, Board Member

Pastor Jimmy Hill, Board Member

Robert Ulevich, Board Member

LEADERSHIP TEAM

tony.zorbaugh@iamthesource.org

jonathan.orozco@iamthesource.org

jade.alexander@iamthesource.org

Anthony Zorbaugh, Executive Director

Jonathan Orozco, Director of Development

Jade Alexander, Director of Operations

WAYS TO GIVE

When you support The Source YOU change Lives!

* YES! I would like to contribute to The Source with a General Donation $________

* YES! I would like to contribute to The Source’s Dining With Dignity $________

* YES! I would like to contribute to The Source’s Dignity Village $________

* YES! I would like to contribute to The Source’s Dignity Bus: with a General Donation $_____________ or to Adopt A Pod at $3,000 per year $_____________ for # of years______

* YES! I would like to contribute to Dignity Wellness $________

* YES! I would like to contribute to Community Works $________ Please make checks payable to The Source.