how you are helping jamie and xavier get

back on their feet.

connectT H E C O A L I T I O N | J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 1 4

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURSYou don’t need a calendar to know it. It’s here…summer, I mean. A glance at the thermometer tells you the whole story. For most of us, summer has its annual rituals and traditions of barbecues and beach days. But for some, the hottest time of the year means the crisis only worsens.

If a family is temporarily living with friends or relatives, landlords may no longer overlook the arrangement as it becomes long-term. With school out for the summer, many children lose access to free breakfast and lunch programs. Astronomical childcare costs overburden an already stretched family budget. So you can see – there is no summer break from homelessness.

But there is good news. Because of your continued generosity and support, you help us meet those needs head-on. Families who come to the Coalition find shelter, nutritious meals, and childcare provided as part of the case-managed programs we offer. Your support is critical to our ability to continue these services. Without you, the scorching summer would be extraordinarily difficult for our clients. Thank you for standing with us and helping push back the many crises summer can bring to the men, women, and children in our community.

Sincerely,

Brent A. TrotterPresident/CEO

Chairman Randy E. Schimmelpfennig Law Offices of Dan Newlin & PartnersVice Chair Elena H. Norman Hilton Grand VacationsSecretary Samuel C. “Trip” Stephens III ZOM, Inc.Treasurer John E. Hearn Orlando Utilities CommissionPresident/CEO Brent A. Trotter Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc.

Timothy R. Baker, AIA, Baker Barrios Architects, Inc.Carlos A. Barrios PE, Stephens-BarriosChristopher C. Brockman, Holland & Knight LLPBakari F. Burns, Health Care Center for the Homeless, Inc.Fara K. Dantzler, Wells Fargo Bank N.A.Eric David, Expedia Local ExpertSylvia Doggett-Jones, Community VolunteerTracey L. Ellerson, Baker Hostetler LLPGlenn M. Fournier, Marriott Vacations Worldwide CorporationJim Fritz, Orlando Magic

Eric D. Gassman, Orange County GovernmentDavid Jasmund, PCE Investment Bankers, Inc.Tony Jenkins, Florida BlueChristine S. Kefauver, HDR, Inc.Fred R. Kittinger, Jr., University of Central FloridaRonald R. Lamb, SunTrust BankTrevor Larsen, PE, Walt Disney Parks and ResortsSean A. McLaughlin, CNL Financial Group / JDS Holdings, LLCMichael Miller, Miller Air Group Inc.John P. Moskos, Bank of AmericaLee Nimkoff, Brio PropertiesT. Todd Pittenger, Akerman LLPLaura L. Pooser, UCF College of Arts and HumanitiesStacey A. Prince-Troutman, Broad and CasselJohn Rivers, 4R Restaurant GroupTy G. Roofner, Burr & Forman LLPRick Schooler, Orlando HealthDouglas M. Spencer, Spencer Consulting ServicesScott R. Stahley, Lincoln Property Company of Florida, Inc.Barbara Larson Stuart, The Stuart GroupRichard G. Wack, Mediation Services of Central Florida, Inc.Robert F. Wagner, Tupperware Brands Corp.Bill L. Warren, Reedy Creek Improvement DistrictMichael Weinberg, HFF, L.P.Mark Woodbury, Universal Parks & ResortsAaron Zandy, Ford & Harrison LLP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

“Your support is critical to

our ability to continue these

services.”

More Than A Meal TourJULY 8 & AUGUST 12Join us for a light lunch and an informational tour of our main campus. In one short hour, you’ll get an inspiring firsthand look at how your support helps homeless men, women and children regain productive lives. TO REGISTER: centralfloridahomeless.org

Taste of the Nation OrlandoAUGUST 9Join us for Share Our Strength’s 25th Annual Taste of the Nation Orlando at the beautiful Orlando World Center Marriott. For a quarter of a century, this event has featured Central Florida’s top chefs who come together for one great cause – to end childhood hunger in Central Florida. As one of the event’s beneficiaries, the Coalition is able to provide meals to the hundreds of homeless children we serve every day. FOR TICKETS: ce.strength.org/orlando

To quote the Beatles, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” At the Coalition, it’s the support of our friends

that makes our work possible – friends like Bright House Networks.

You have likely seen Bright House Networks’ “Hello Friend” commercials, but you might not know what a loyal friend they’ve been to Coalition for the Homeless. Throughout the years, they’ve supported us by sponsoring our fundraising events, such as the Hearts of Gold concert and the Doug Spencer Golf Challenge.

What does that mean? By contributing to the success of our events, they’ve made sure that more than 600 men, women, and children are provided not only with the basics but with life-changing opportunities. Friends bring out the best in each other, and Bright House Networks’ support helps our clients bring out the best in themselves, through educational opportunities, job skills training, counseling, and even voluntary pre-kindergarten classes for the little ones.

Our Partner: Bright House Networks

“Like a caring friend, Coalition for the Homeless is here every day and night for those who need a place to

go. Not just somewhere to sleep and eat, but reassurance that there’s a brighter tomorrow. This inspires us at Bright House Networks.”

Michel Champagne, Vice President & General Manager of Central Operations at Bright House Networks

1

We want to thank Bright House Networks for helping to make sure our clients not only survive but thrive. We’re both proud and honored to call them our friend.

UPCOMING EVENTS

More than 30 of Central Florida’s finest restaurants will be at Taste of the Nation Orlando this year. Don’t miss it!

Jamie never imagined she would be homeless atage 34.

BETTER LIVESBETTER OPPORTUNITIES

Jamie was a hard-working woman, taking care of both her mom and nine year old son, Xavier, when crisis struck. She’d been steadily employed by a company for nearly four years when they suddenly closed their doors, leaving her jobless.

One in three Americans is just one paycheck away from homelessness – a statistic that Jamie never expected to become. After losing her job, she was unable to pay her bills or her rent. The final blow came when Jamie, her son, and her mom were evicted.

At first, they were able to stay with family, but Jamie soon realized her family needed more. They needed help. They needed resources. Upon learning about Coalition for the Homeless from a relative, Jamie and her son turned to us for a helping hand.

“The generosity of the Coalition’s supporters gave me a place to go. It gave me options,” says Jamie.

With support and encouragement from her case manager, Jamie immediately engaged herself in the Coalition’s programs. “Somebody else believes in me, so I have to believe in myself.”

Jamie began working toward her General Education Diploma through our on-site partner, Orange County Public Schools’ adult education program. Excited and anticipating her diploma,

she has already signed up for Valencia Community College, with the goal of a degree in sports medicine and massage therapy.

“I don’t want to be in dead-end jobs,” says Jamie. “My son deserves a better life.”

In order to support herself and Xavier during her schooling, Jamie worked with the Coalition’s on-site partner, Goodwill Industries, to improve her job prospects. With their help and her drive, she found not only one but two jobs!

Jamie’s positive attitude toward education and her future has certainly inspired Xavier. Before arriving at the Coalition, her son’s grades were poor and he was not reaching his full potential. Now he is actively involved in the on-site Boys and Girls Club and, much to his mother’s delight, has become an honor-roll student.

Jamie and Xavier recently transitioned from our main campus emergency shelter to the Women’s Residential and Counseling Center, where they have both continued to thrive. They are currently on the waiting list for Scattered Site, our community housing program.

“If you take advantage of what the Coalition has to offer, you’ll be successful. The program has helped me a lot. I’m glad I came. I know I made the right decision.”

Thank you for supporting the Coalition and believing that, together, we can transform lives. Because of your generosity, Jamie and Xavier are shaping a new future.

BETTER OPPORTUNITIES

“I am glad I came. I

know I made the right

decision.”3

You spend a stressful day in the office. You get caught in traffic. You burn dinner. Luckily, all the stresses of the day can fade away when you sit down in your comfortable family room to watch a movie, read a book, or play a game.

When you’re homeless, there aren’t many places that provide respite from the constant struggles. Two of

the Coalition’s volunteers, Ren and Karen Werrenrath, made it their mission to change that.

After receiving a generous grant award from the Winifred Johnson Clive Foundation to refurnish the Women’s Residential and Counseling Center (WRCC) family room, Ren and Karen put their talents to work. They designed a peaceful environment for our clients to call “home” while busily engaged in programs to get back on their feet.

“It would surprise most people to learn how satisfying it is to volunteer and help others,” said Ren.

The Werrenrath’s relationship with the Coalition started about three years ago when Ren semi-retired. At first, he was just looking for something to do with his spare time. He had no idea that this time-filler would turn out to be a passion.

“The Coalition doesn’t just view itself as a one-time hand-out. It’s designed to transform people to become contributing members to society,” said Ren. “It makes volunteering and giving worth it, knowing that the projects and services will be utilized by the people who come in and out of the Coalition.”

The Werrenrath’s journey with the Coalition doesn’t end there. They volunteer and contribute on a regular basis. Because of their strong connection to the organization, they have sponsored and named the laundry room in the new Men’s Service Center (MSC). The laundry room will serve both the Center for Women and Families (CWF) and MSC, providing clean bedding and clothing for clients, which makes a world of difference in their comfort and confidence while working toward their new lives.

REN AND KAREN ARE TWO WONDERFUL EXAMPLES OF THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO GENEROUSLY SUPPORTTHE COALITION. BECAUSE OF YOU, WE ARE ABLE TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OFOUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED.

WRCC resident Luz and her children spend a moment of precious quality time together in the newly refurnished family room.

A Place to Call Home

4

5

We want to thank SunTrust Foundation for its recent donation of $25,000 to name the Community Partner Office in our new Men’s Service Center. This will be a designated place for our men to receive job skills training, financial literacy assistance, and other services that will help transform their lives.

People who believe in a cause will go to great lengths to support it. Despite a rain-out, the participants in our 2014 Doug Spencer Golf Challenge raised nearly $79,000 to help us provide food, shelter, educational opportunities, and more to 600 homeless adults and families each day. We can’t thank them enough!

Universal Orlando Foundation and its wonderful contractors spent a weekend replacing the 20-year-old air conditioning system in our Center for Women and Families. Now, our clients will be able to focus less on sweating and more on studying, working hard, and taking the steps they need toward a better future! We are very grateful.

Thanks to your dollars, we have been able to hire 18 new staff members who will provide assistance in areas such as intake, case management, and veteran services in our Men’s Service Center. Our residents will get the attention and resources they need to be successful in their transition back to self-sufficiency.

The Coalition could not do what we do without the generous companies and individuals who help to fulfill our needs.

GI V INGB ACK

GR A N TS$70,000 - $79,999Disney Helping Kids Shine Grant Program

$50,000 - $59,999Walmart Foundation

$20,000 - $29,000Darden Restaurants Inc., Foundation

$1,000 - $4,999Charles Schwab FoundationThe Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation Your generous contributions help keep our fully-licensed, on-site

daycare running smoothly. This allows parents to focus on their jobs or school, as they have the peace of mind that our staff is taking great care of their children in a structured learning environment.

FOODHomeless children often go hungry during the summer when they can no longer access free breakfast and lunch programs through their schools.

SHELTEROften, relatives and friends allowing families to stay in their homes find the situation to be less tolerable once children are out of school and at home all day.

HEATGetting into your car after a quick shopping trip is bad enough during Florida’s brutal summers, but imagine if you actually lived in your car. Calling your car home during the hottest months of the year isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s downright dangerous.

CHILDCAREParents already struggling to make ends meet may face the additional cost of childcare when the school year ends. The average cost of center-based daycare in the United States is $972 a month.

there is a national “summer surge” in homelessness. As temperatures rise, so does the number of homeless families and children. read on to learn some of the most common summertime struggles and what you can do to help.

THERE IS NO summer break from homelessness

CREATIVE FUNDRAISING IDEAS Summer is the perfect time to get your family involved in fundraising for the Coalition!• Turn your time outdoors into an impactful

donation. Whether you walk, bike, swim, or kayak, ask family, friends, and coworkers to sponsor your activities. Get active for a cause and feel great!

• If you aren’t the outdoor type, social media is a great way to raise money and show your philanthropic side. Hold a Tweet-a-thon to help the Coalition or raise funds via Facebook.

• Clean out your house and hold a yard sale benefiting our organization.

• Kids love helping others, and fundraising is a great way to teach them to set and achieve goals. Help them start a lemonade stand, hold a car wash, or sell arts and crafts.

INVESTWe rely on the generosity of our community to help us provide crucial services to Central Florida’s homeless men, women, and children. From food and shelter to educational classes and an on-site daycare, we couldn’t do what we do without YOU.

here’s how you can help bring hope to homeless families this summer:

We’d love to hear from you! Share your fundraising efforts by emailing Betsy.Dye@cflhomeless.org or posting them to our Facebook page: facebook.com/CoalitionfortheHomeless