IMPACT IN NUMBERS

2023 IMPACT IN NUMBERS

Meet Leonard

BY TANEKA HARRIS

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 with a family member, put his belongings into storage and started coming to the Source for meals, showers and a safe, comfortable 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. Leonard is housed and enjoys being a part of our Source Family.

Meet Vincent

BY JADE ALEXANDER

Vincent became homeless after losing his job and not being able to afford rent anymore. Thankfully he did not have to spend many nights on the street as he found The Source soon after becoming homeless. Being homeless is not just about being without shelter but you lose a little bit of yourself when you have to reduce your life down to a back pack with your most important items. Having access to showers, shelter, laundry etc. helps to rebuild your self-confidence and selfrespect. When Vincent came to the Source, he immediately joined our programs and graduated the Dining with Dignity Culinary Training program and gained employment washing dishes at a local restaurant in Vero Beach.

906

NEW members this year at The Source

641

Of them were first time homeless

71%

Were homeless for the first time

Meet Jamar

BY KATHLEEN STARBUCK

Jamar came to The Source after leaving his parents home due to his drug related issues. He’s very young so he had nowhere else to go but the streets. He slept on the bus and became part of the Dining With Dignity Program. He then graduated and with the skills he picked up working in our kitchen now works at Taco Dive full time. Jamar is a very outgoing, enthusiastic hardworking guy. I feel he has a good future ahead of him. He continues to work and sleeps on the Dignity Bus. His enthusiasm and outgoing personality makes him stand out.

madeto-order menu

We have the first on the Treasure Coast

Meet Jeannie

BY JADE ALEXANDER

Jeannie found out about The Source from her brother, after a bad breakup, she ended up alone and without a place to live. She was homeless for about a week and being able to use the Dignity Bus for a safe place to sleep was a tremendous relief for her. Recalling doing her intake for the first time, she was very tired from not being able to sleep or feel safe at night. She joined the Dining with Dignity Culinary Training Program where she got access to the Dignity Bus for free and eventually got employed at Blue Ribbon Pet Spa. After gaining employment Jeannie moved on from The Source and we have not seen her since. We always hope that no news is good news and wish Jeannie all the best.

one+ million free meals served Since we first opened almost 30 years ago

Meet Benjamin aka Salty

BY TANEKA HARRIS

Let me introduce you to “Salty!” I have known Salty for about three years. He has been a valued member, coming to The Source for over a decade. Salty is housed, and he lives alone with a couple of pets. He comes to the Source for community interaction and building relationships with his fellow members and staff at our Commerce Avenue location. He faithfully attends our weekly programs which include Creative Coffee and Bible Study. His member ID # is 31, meaning he was the 31st person to walk through our doors almost 30 years ago and get a number. This is quite something, as we are now serving over 3,300 members. He is very grateful to The Source and all the services we provide including our top tier meals.

26.3% Increase! That’s a

Meet Tommylee

BY JADE ALEXANDER

After losing his job and being displaced by his landlord, Tommylee ended up living in his car with his beloved dog Athena. He was homeless in Homestead, Florida for a year before moving to Vero Beach after finding out about The Source on the internet. Being estranged from his family he had barely any resources and shared with us that he received more services here at The Source in 1 week than he had from any other charitable organization. The hot meals alone relieved so much stress from having to worry about what he was going to eat. Tommylee joined the Sic Sac program and was able to earn a dignified income at his own pace. This allowed him to keep his car, which doubled as his home, up and running. After a few weeks of being the Top Sic Sac producer, Tommylee joined the Source Team as our Dignity Bus cleaner, and shortly after gained housing, renting a room from a couple and their son who has now become like his own family. Tommylee credits The Source for giving him an opportunity to feel seen as a human being and not being devalued as just a homeless person.

95%

68.22% of local Homelessness

Served by Dignity Buses

10,147

Safe Sleeps in 2023

That’s a Increase!

Meet Adrienne

BY JADE ALEXANDER

Adrienne struggled with addiction for most of her adult life and found herself homeless due to her substance use disorder. While at The Source, she took advantage of the support groups like Dignity Wellness Counseling, AA and Bible Studies. As a woman, being able to have a place to shower and keep herself looking presentable was vital in helping her to rebuild her self confidence. She eventually joined Sic Sac where she was able to earn money folding motion sickness bags for a dignified income. Eventually she gained employment and housing through The Source. Adrienne’s story has not come to completion yet as she has unfortunately relapsed but we continue to pray for her on her journey to victory over addiction. If her path leads her back to the Source we will continue to provide the same services that she found useful the first time to help her stay sober. Grace is favor that is undeserved and mercy is sparing us from consequences we should have experienced. God shows us grace and mercy everyday and we can only follow in His example when fulfilling the Mission of the Source.

There were

606 unique individuals who slept on one of our Vero Beach Dignity buses last year.

Meet Mike

BY JADE ALEXANDER

Mike came to the Source with his wife Adrienne (see previous story.) They both struggled with addiction which ultimately was the cause of their homelessness. They were homeless in Fort Pierce for about a month, sleeping on the street, park benches and anywhere that would provide them shelter. He found the Dignity Bus a huge blessing as he was able to sleep soundly, knowing his wife Adrienne was safe on the bus too.

$227,484

18,957

Meals were served by our food trucks and catered events

53% was earned by our Culinary Enterprises

That is a INCREASE

Meet Sean

BY JADE ALEXANDER

Sean was caught up in addiction which caused them to temporarily lose custody of his children. He and his wife had been living on the streets and came to The Source for help. The Source was able to provide for them a safe place to sleep and get their lives back on track. They are both in recovery now and had attended the AA Meetings which we offered. They left in December, moving back with family. Sean has a job and they have been reunited with their children. The Source offered them an opportunity to reevaluate their situation and move forward to starting a new family life. Their outgoing personalities brought a lot of joy. They are missed and the members speak about them often.

264

We had Volunteers in 2023

They donated a total number of Hours

3,945

Meet Marissa

BY JADE ALEXANDER

Marissa and her husband Sean found The Source at a crucial time in their life. Living int their car with young children and struggling with addiction weighed heavily on her. The hope for a better future and becoming a physically and mentally healthy Mom was the motivation for her to overcome addiction and stay sober to ultimately regain control of her life. While at The Source Marissa volunteered her time cleaning the Dignity Bus and the Dining Room, doing laundry for The Source, anything to keep her self productive and give back to the organization. Marissa and her husband reunited with family and now has her children living with her again.

46

Students gained on-the-job training

Meet Heather

BY LINDA CUTLER

Heather sought refuge at The Source after escaping an abusive relationship that nearly ended her life when she was shot in the head. Before this harrowing experience, Heather was an outgoing individual, balancing three jobs while caring for her infant. Her journey to The Source began after learning about it through Good Samaritan and the 211 service, for which she expresses profound gratitude for the support provided.

At The Source, Heather avails herself of all available services, describing the organization as her lifeline, offering her shelter, protection, and renewed hope for a better future. Before finding sanctuary at The Source, Heather struggled with thoughts of suicide, but she has since embraced a newfound appreciation for life.

Currently, Heather is in the process of applying for disability benefits, as her injuries from the shooting have left her unable to work. Despite the challenges, she maintains a hopeful outlook, trusting in her faith that she will continue to find strength and support.

$17,981 Was paid in stipends to our Dining with Dignity Students

Meet Krystal

BY JADE ALEXANDER

Krystal has been on the receiving end of some very traumatic crimes against her, in he life. As a result of the physical trauma she has experienced, she is on some very heavy medications to ease the chronic pain and suffers from seizures frequently. Krystal has been homeless for a number of years and finds the Dignity Job Opportunities program at The Source most useful to her as she is not able to work, but she is able to earn source bucks and buy essentials from our store. Being able to use source bucks to help pay for needed items like her medication has been invaluable to her. Krystal is now living in a safe house; she has finally been approved for disability and we hope to see her housed in the near future.

10

Lives were changed with a new smile

Meet Steve

BY LINDA CUTLER

Steve found himself seeking support from The Source after he and his mother, who is living with dementia, were evicted from their home. Before this drastic change in his circumstances, Steve was an active individual who frequented the gym, held the position of Assistant Manager at King USA in Melbourne, FL, and took his mother on daily walks to the park. He enjoyed a vibrant social life, had a car, and led a fulfilling life. However, the loss of their home marked a significant turning point.

During a visit to Saucedo Park, after becoming homeless, Steve encountered a couple of women who introduced him to The Source. This connection led him to meet Bishop Brian from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where he began to engage regularly.

At The Source, Steve benefits from a variety of services, including showers, laundry, haircuts, bible study, and creative arts. The organization has offered him shelter and helped him secure employment, equipping him with the skills necessary to re-establish his independence and contribution to society.

Steve is not just a beneficiary of The Source’s services; he actively contributes to the community there, assisting with tasks around the building as needed. His journey towards rebuilding his life is on a promising path, with a job opportunity in San Francisco as an Assistant Store Manager awaiting him on May 2. He plans to use his “source bucks” to purchase a ticket for his relocation.

185

Lives were uplifted through Dignity Wellness

462

Clinical counseling hours were provided to members at The Source in 2023

Meet Damion

BY JADE ALEXANDER

Damion has been homeless since he was 15 years old. Being abandoned by his Mom in Costa Rica, Damion ended up living on his own in a foreign country and was returned to the US at the age of 18. Since then, Damion has lived couch to couch, getting into trouble here and there and has never known a life of stability. Before coming to the Source, he was living with some friends in Orlando but couldn’t live there anymore due to his drinking. His time spent The Source allowed Damion access to counseling, AA, and spiritual guidance. Damion gave his life to Christ and got baptized by our very own Pastor Wayne. Damion was a graduate of our Community Works program where he was able to receive assistance from the Employment Specialist with getting his Birth Certificate, ID, and Social Security Card, 2 things he had not access to for all of his adult life. After having several months of sobriety under his belt, Damion was reunited with his friends in Orlando and went back to live with them.

$3,925 Was paid to Community Works participants in stipends

Meet Dean

BY TANEKA HARRIS

Let’s meet Dean. Dean was living in his car in St Lucie county with limited resources and loss of family. Dean heard about the Source through 211. Since becoming a member Dean is one of those people who always has a smile on his face and a joke up his sleeve. He has this strong desire to thrive and a sense of hope in him. Thru our services and Dignity Job Opportunities, Dean was able put gas in his vehicle to attend medical appointments. He was also able to use our address to receive mail services. With our two Dignity buses he was able sleep in a safe and comfortable environment. Dean is currently housed and regained his social security benefits, which gained him a little stability.

185

Lives were uplifted through Dignity Wellness

462

Clinical counseling hours were provided to members at The Source in 2023

Meet Deborah

BY JADE ALEXANDER

Deb could no longer afford rent on her fixed income and was utterly traumatized being an elderly woman on the streets with nowhere to go. The Dignity Bus was the most important service that she relied on to have somewhere safe to sleep at night and didn’t have to worry about staying awake to protect herself all night. Someone offered her a room for rent and that turned out to be an unsafe experience for her as she was targeted, like so many other vulnerable elderly people who are scammed for their Social Security checks. Deb was fortunate to have found affordable housing and no longer needs to rely on the services at the Source. She appreciates us for all we do but hopes she never needs to come to the Source again.

318,500 Sic-Sacs Done

Meet Dave

BY JADE ALEXANDER

Dave came to The Source only for a brief moment. He was already employed but having a hard time finding housing in the area. Having the resources at The Source allowed Dave to shower, eat, and have showers so that he could keep himself presentable for his job. Dave was even reunited with one of his cousins at The Source and was able to reconnect with family. Dave moved on from The Source and maintained his employment all the while. We wish him all the best.

$49,625

$12,060 Used for Client Assistance

Put back into the economy

Meet Ralph

BY LINDA CUTLER

Ralph sought refuge at The Source after losing his housing. The sale of his apartment building led to the non-renewal of leases by the new owners, forcing him to vacate. He found himself without a home for about a month, living out of his car, until a neighbor informed him about The Source and its offerings. Ralph made use of, and continues to benefit from, the showers, shelter, gas vouchers, haircuts, and meals provided by The Source. The organization played a crucial role in restoring his dignity and self-esteem. By January, Ralph had secured housing, thanks to the support from The Source, which he remains grateful for as it aids him in maintaining a productive life.

Now comfortably housed, Ralph enjoys taking walks and the sense of belonging his own place provides. He still visits The Source, valuing the community and the opportunity to have lunch and engage with other members. Reflecting on his journey, Ralph emphasizes that The Source was indispensable during his time of need, becoming a vital support system he’ll always remember.

$9,490 Paid to Sic-Sac Members

Meet Sue

BY JADE ALEXANDER

An accomplished business woman in her former years, Ms. Sue found the Source after a mental health breakdown which took her down a path that exhausted all her savings. Ms. Sue used all the resources at The Source, especially the Dignity Bus to afford her safe and comfortable rest at night. Ms. Sue, in her 70’s, walked at turtle speed one inch at a time, nothing was ever done quickly with her. So, our favorite memory of her is when she signed up to for a 5k race and completed about a quarter of it before throwing in the towel, the memories of the community she built while here will never be forgotten, from karaoke with Taneka to the 5k with Tony. Unfortunately, Ms. Sue never regained earthly housing; she ended up passing away in a nursing home after some health complications. She was a feisty spirit that kept us all on our toes, may she now rest in peace in her heavenly home.

$8,016

At The Source everyone has their hands in! Our members earn source bucks that can be redeemed for gas vouchers. in gas vouchers last year.