When someone becomes homeless, it’s usually the final trauma in a series of traumas – major illness, domestic violence, sudden job loss, the end of a marriage, or the death of a partner, parent or child. It means the person has exhausted their savings, their support network, their personal resources – and often their own emotional and spiritual reserves. 

It’s depressing and terrifying.

Since becoming the CEO of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida in 2015, I have had one main goal – to get those individuals and families back into housing as fast as possible so that they can rebuild their lives.

Frankly, it’s difficult, unrelenting work, but I’m not alone. Not only does our nonprofit organization have a devoted, mission-driven staff, but we also have forged partnerships with a strong network of agencies with whom we collaborate, allowing us to be as efficient as possible. 

In fact, over the past year, we have helped to house more than 3,200 homeless men, women and children in Central Florida. 

That’s the good news.

Yet as I write this, there are still at least 2,350 individuals in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties living in emergency homeless shelters, in their cars, in the woods or on the streets. Nearly a third of them are under age 18. And those are just the ones we know about — the ones who have applied for help. Sadly, there are not yet enough available housing units for all those who need them.

With your help, we can do more. 

We have recently launched bold efforts to specifically reach homeless veterans, young adults (ages 16 to 24), and survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Each population requires a unique approach to gain survivors’ trust and a unique strategy for housing and wrap-around services. But I’m optimistic.

I believe with all my heart that the work we’re doing can – and does – save lives.

For when you provide someone with a place to call home, you provide healing and hope. 

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