Indian River County Dignity Bus

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY DIGNITY BUS

An Overnight Emergency Shelter On Wheels “THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY” 1015 Commerce Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960 • 772-564-0202 www.iamthesource.org or www.facebook.com/thesourcevb

Sleep Changes On a single night in 2019, roughly 553,000 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States. Nearly 60% were staying in sheltered locations - emergency shelters or transitional housing programs - and more than 40% were in unsheltered locations such as on the street, in abandoned buildings, or in other places not suitable for human habitation, such as vehicles.

To be honest, no one on the street gets a good night’s sleep. Even us, with a roof over our head and sleeping on a queen sized bed with an en-suite, can experience a difficult time falling or staying asleep. Just imagine how quickly things can spiral out of control outside!

Access to a safe, comfortable place to sleep means better mental and physical health and ultimately, a chance to work on a pathway out of homelessness.

Homeless individuals living on the streets are subjected to inclement weather, harassment, bullying and being robbed.

They also run a high risk of drug and alcohol abuse, further affecting their safety and well-being.

EVERYTHING Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being. Getting enough quality sleep can help protect a person both mentally and physically, and improve their safety. For those sleeping rough, getting a good night’s sleep is virtually impossible and can contribute to long-term problems such as homelessness and unemployment.

Sleep deficiency can harm a person’s sense of well-being over time. It can lead to low self-esteem, social isolation, and the exacerbation or development of specific psychiatric disorders, such as: schizophrenia; depression; bipolar disorder; and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Lack of quality sleep can also take a toll on a person’s body over time. For example, on-going sleep deprivation can raise the risk for some chronic illnesses such as: diabetes; heart health; breathing problems and cancer.

Information in compiling this article was taken from the 2019 Housing Urban Development Report

THE SOURCE

The Source began in 1995 as a fledgling homeless ministry. Today our purpose is to offer life-changing possibilities to residents in crisis, including emergency hunger relief, clothing, mental health counseling, support groups, hygiene items, showers, mail and telephone services, benefit referrals, overnight weather refuge, and so much more.

THE SOURCE

OUR MEMBERS

The Source is a Christ-Centered outreach and resource center for people who are homeless or on the brink of becoming homeless. We provide support through our own volunteer workforce and a network of community service providers. All services are offered free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our Source friends and family.

OUR MISSION...

The Mission of the Source is to support and serve the community and lead individuals to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

For more information on the Dignity Bus or The Source, please contact: Executive Director, Anthony Zorbaugh 772-564-0202 Ext. 218 email: tony.zorbaugh@iamthesource.org

CORPORATE SPONSORS

Committed to nurturing strong relationships with the Corporate community The Source engages in public campaigns and other fundraising ideas tailored to the business market. We partner with corporations for matching programs, while engaging their employees. It is this support that makes it possible for Dignity Bus to run, and allows us to always use 100% of public donations to fund Dignity Bus projects.

THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY DIGNITY BUS

DIGNITY BUS INVESTORS

Our Dignity Bus investors are donors that recognize the impact of a major gift to subsidize our operational expenses. Like any startup business, we need investors who believe in, and support our mission: The 100% Model. We can’t offer stock options or the promise of a big buyout. Instead our investors Return on Investment (ROI) is measured in the amount of safe sleeps we provide per year.

WHERE DO YOUR DOLLARS GO?

In order to properly maintain the Dignity Bus, which includes staff, bedding, laundry, air-conditioning, maintenance, insurance, security costs, gasoline, and other general necessities, it costs approximately $120,000 per year to operate the Dignity Bus.

WELCOME We have a simple focus for the Dignity Bus; to provide a safe, temporary overnight accommodation for those sleeping rough in Indian River County. Our aim is to get people off the street and keep them safe and healthy until they can get back on their feet.

An Overnight Emergen

The Indian River County Dignity Bus provides 20 secure, climate controlled, individual sleeping pods with a privacy curtain, a lockable door, under bus storage, pet pods for companion animals, an on-board overnight security person, private restroom and monitored CCTV surveillance. This Dignity Bus provides up to 7,300 safe sleeps per year.

on board The Dignity Bus is distinct, unique and only exists with thanks from members of our blessed community. Dignity Bus is supporting our local homeless population who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Our work aims to fill a gap, rather than overlapping or duplicating activities, that support the urgent needs of people in Indian River County.

Our accommodation is not a long term solution, but what we do provide is a safe, temporary and comfortable place to sleep for the night.

ncy Shelter on Wheels

Sleeping Pod with privacy curtain closed

Sheriff Eric Flowers shaking hands with The Source Executive Director, Anthony Zorbaugh

Indian River COUNTY

PHOTOS & TESTIMONIALS

Two passengers just off a safe sleep in the Dignity Bus are showered and enjoying a hot breakfast.

“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.

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

DIGNITY BUS safety first...

The Dignity Bus is provided for the benefit of the entire homeless community. We ask all of our guests to adhere to a few important guidelines in order to maintain the safety, security and comfort for everyone. We hope that our guests enjoy their stay with us!

SCHEDULE: 5:00 pm

Source dining room is open and available for overnight guests to wait indoors until sign-in.

9:00 pm

Bus is open for sign-in only.

First come first-served.

10:00 pm

Blankets, sheets and pillows will be provided.

11:00 pm

Last person may enter the bus and bus will be closed for the night.

5:30 am

Wake-up begins and removal of bedding next.

5:45 am Clean up and disinfecting of the sleeping pods begins.

7:00 am

All laundry bags need to be marked and placed in laundry room.

Do you have a heart to serve? Volunteers needed to help clean and prepare the bus daily.

Call 772-564-0202

OVERNIGHT SHELTER GUIDELINES 1. Those who want to sleep on The Dignity Bus must plan to arrive before 9:00 pm.

2. The Dignity Bus is on first-come, first-serve basis. Those wanting to stay must inform Dignity Bus staff if they have a valid reason for late arrival.

3. People are not allowed to leave and return after reporting for the shelter.

4. Those staying on the bus are welcome to store their tagged and marked belongings under the bus.

5. Guests may choose a bunk spot. After signing in guests receive their bedding distribution.

6. Alcohol, drugs, paraphernalia and food are never permitted on or near the bus.

7. Arriving intoxicated is strongly discouraged, however if a guest arrives intoxicated, their only option is to bunk and sleep immediately. Drunk and disorderly individuals receive two warnings.

8. Those who are unwilling or unable to comply with these guidelines will be asked to depart the bus.

9. The cost to sleep in a pod is $2 per night or $50 per month.

ADOPT-A-POD 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 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 Bus o

$___________________

Name of Donor______________________________________ Business Name______________________________________ Address____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Cell Phone _________________________________________ Email Address_______________________________________ Mail your donation to: The Source, Anthony Zorbaugh, Executive Director P.O. Box 2458 • Vero Beach, Florida 32961