In part-1 of a new feature titled “On Being…Homeless in Seminole County,” we talk with Cathy Jackson, executive director of the Homeless Services Network (HSN) of Central Florida. In a wide-ranging interview she defines the homeless problem in Seminole County and identifies other institutional players at work addressing the dilemma of homelessness. Feature length – 23:49

• Day Camp Scholarship Program
• CSBG-R Training Program
• Security & Utility Deposit Program
• Purchase Assistance: Holly Townhomes

More information is available below. Please contact them directly with any questions.

This message is to let you know about new programs offered through Seminole County Community Assistance!  Please feel free to share this information with staff, residents, other agencies and clients.

Day Camp Scholarship Program

Provides day camp scholarships to eligible campers from one (1) to nine (9) weeks with approved day camp providers.  Attached is an application packet with more information on the program or you can visit our website at www.seminolecountyfl.gov/commsrvs/commasst/.  Please note that some applicants will need additional documents to complete their application, these documents are located at the link above.  Applications will be accepted Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Seminole County Community Assistance; 534 West Lake Mary Boulevard; Sanford, Florida.

CSBG-R Training Program

Provides financial assistance to eligible individuals for training program tuition, books and the training supplies. Assistance will be provided to individuals that need training in order to attain employment, maintain employment or to increase employment income and/or benefits.  Attached is a flyer with more information.  Applications are available on our website at www.seminolecountyfl.gov/commsrvs/commasst/.  Applications are being accepted at Seminole County Community Assistance; 534 West Lake Mary Boulevard; Sanford, Florida.

Security & Utility Deposit Program

This program is in the form of a grant up to a maximum award of $2,000 for households in danger of becoming homeless or that are currently homeless as a result of the inability to pay security and/or utility deposits when seeking residence in Seminole County rental housing.  Attached is a flyer with more information.  Applications are available on our website at www.seminolecountyfl.gov/commsrvs/commasst/.  Applications are being accepted at Seminole County Community Assistance; 534 West Lake Mary Boulevard; Sanford, Florida.

Purchase Assistance: Holly Townhomes

Purchase Assistance is available for very-low and low income first-time home buyers wishing to purchase in the Holly Home Development located in Sanford. Additional information and applications are available on our website at www.seminolecountyfl.gov/commsrvs/commdev/.   Applications are being accepted at Seminole County Community Assistance; 534 West Lake Mary Boulevard; Sanford, Florida.

Rescue Outreach Mission will have it’s Annual Christmas meal for the Homeless and needy on Thursday, December 24, 2009 in the Dinning Hall located in the Men’s Division which is located at 1701 West 13th Street, Sanford, FL 32771.

Meals will be served at 11 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

The Seminole County Health Department will provide FREE H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine to all who are interested. The Health Department will set up in our main dining hall at Rescue Outreach Mission this Saturday, December 5th, 10am – 2pm.

The Rescue Outreach Mission is at 1301 W. 13th Street, Sanford, FL 32771.

Mayors of 5 Seminole County Cities and Pastor Joel Hunter to appear at 8:00 a.m. Opening Ceremonies

Monday, July 28, 2008 – ORLANDO – On Wednesday, July 30, 2008 the Homeless Services Network (HSN), Northland Church and more than 40 nonprofits, faith-based groups and local businesses are hosting a one day event to provide housing, services, and hospitality in a convenient one-stop model directly to men, women and families experiencing homelessness in Seminole County.  The event should attract more than 200 homeless persons living in camps, on the streets, in vehicles and in abandoned buildings in Sanford, Longwood, Casselberry and surrounding cities.

Northland Pastor Joel Hunter and HSN Executive Director Cathy Jackson will be joined by the Mayors of Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Oviedo, and Sanford to open the event at 8:00 a.m.

Services will include medical care, showers, meals, shelter, employment opportunities, mental health services and counseling.  The Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration, Seminole County Vital Statistics and legal services will assist clients in applying for IDs, driver’s licenses, birth certificates and Social Security cards. Clients arrive at the event by public transportation, bicycle, car or by walking. Each participant will be given Lynx bus passes at the end of the event.

As a result of its January 2008 Point-in-Time Count, HSN estimates that more than 1,800 men, women and children experience homelessness in Seminole County annually. Thirty-five percent of the homeless population has been homeless more than one year, with an additional 32% reporting being homeless for three months to one year. In and around Sanford on one night in January 2008 HSN completed a count that identified more than 125 homeless men and women who were sleeping in abandoned buildings, in camps and on the street. There are more than 30 homeless camps in Seminole County.  It is this segment of the population that Project Homeless Connect seeks to serve by offering practical, compassionate services that encourage participants to re-engage with agencies that can help them get off the streets and return to self-sufficiency and a productive life.

Media opportunities:

• 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Interviews with clients (veterans, homeless women with children, employed men unable to find affordable shelter) and volunteers.
• 7:50 a.m. – 8:20 a.m. Interviews with Pastor Joel Hunter, City Mayors, Cathy Jackson
• 8:00 a.m. – Brief opening ceremonies
• 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – lunch

Filming ops:

• Hair cuts by Paul Mitchell;
• Folks receiving IDs on DMV mobile van;
• Medical services provided by mobile medical unit;
• Veterans receiving counseling at VA table.

Contact Information: Cathy Jackson, (407) 893-0133 x101, cell (407) 416-6713, cathy {at} hsncfl(.)org