in:captions

in: captions THE COALITION

AUGUST 2012

this is going to be big.

639 W. Central Blvd. • Orlando, FL 32801 • 407.426.1250 CentralFloridaHomeless.org

from our family

to yours

Defying the odds…

That is the story in a larger story. After serving 12 years in prison, Angel was determined to defy the odds. He looked for work... and finally found an employer who reluctantly took a chance on hiring him.

But Angel did more than his job. He dared to share his aspirations to go to college. And as his employer’s reluctance turned to encouragement, Angel’s life was changed.

As you watch the video, listen as the larger story unfolds and Angel’s employer learned a lesson we all need to learn. Our preconceptions of homelessness and the barriers that keep people homeless can be overcome…with a little understanding and compassion.

Brent A. Trotter President/CEO

Give Back

Every member of the Coalition’s volunteer family, regardless of age, makes a huge difference! Take a look at the big things these young volunteers are doing…

Laura Crolla In addition to planning her wedding, Laura Crolla is in graduate school and recently started her own law firm, L.C. Legal Group, P.A. Despite this demanding schedule, she still finds time to impact the lives of Central Florida’s homeless individuals.

Laura not only helps the Coalition’s Grants Department every week, she also leads a craft day for our youngsters every month! “This is the best Easter ever,” exclaimed one of our homeless children during Laura’s Easter craft day.

cookeville first united methodist church youth choir Last month, the Coalition was thrilled to welcome the Cookeville First United Methodist Church (FUMC) youth choir from Cookeville, Tennessee!

Taking time out of their 6-day Choir Tour, the group of more than 50 kids helped the Coalition with a variety of projects. They also surprised our residents with a few songs!

“Our visit was extremely eye opening,” said Craig and Amber, two choir members. “Seeing the joy and thankfulness coming from [the residents] was a truly inspirational experience.”

The FUMC choir continued to give even after they left the state by raising more than $200 for the Coalition to purchase weed killer!

goodwill industries of central florida Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, one of our wonderful on-site partners, recently brought a group of youth from the Goodwill GoodGuides Youth Mentoring program to the Coalition.

While here, the group of teens put their kitchen skills to the test. They tirelessly cut vegetables before serving lunch to our First Steps Substance Abuse Recovery Program clients.

We’re constantly impressed by our young volunteers, especially when they are as inquisitive and engaged as the Goodwill GoodGuides group was!

Volunteer today!

she’s just starting out donate now

Announcing...

...the launch of our Journey Home Campaign - a $12 million major gifts fundraising initiative to ensure the strength and viability of Coalition for the Homeless for years to come.

Whether your passion lies with serving the needs of women, children and families or the growing number of homeless veterans, there is a way for you to make a significant difference in their lives and help steer their course as they embark on their…Journey Home.

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W H Y

1 in 4 of our residents is under the age of 18

and we need you here’s the plan here’s where

you come in

giving society

Make a long-term commitment to end the crisis of homelessness for the men, women, and children we serve. Join us in supporting the unrestricted operating needs of our organization now and in the future.

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A limited opportunity for 100 to make a lasting impact on th we are doing through the Cen Women and Families and Wom Residential and Counseling Cen

Learn more about what we do and how we do it in this first-hand look at how the Coalition provides more than a meal to 800 men, women, and children every night. Find tour information on our website.

get connected: central

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¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ ¢ 62% of our operating support comes from the community, not government sources

1 in 4 residents of the Men’s Pavilion is a veteran and/or disabled

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Make the gift of a lifetime by including a provision in your estate plan or will to guarantee the sustainability and success of both the organization and those we serve.

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Get your friends involved by joining us as a Table Captain at the Journey Home Breakfast on November 13th.

You will be responsible for inviting a table of guests to this free inspirational breakfast.

service

men’s

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center

The Men’s Service Center initiative will offer donors commemorative naming right opportunities while providing much-needed programs and services for the most under-served homeless population in our community: men.

commit

Commit to the cause: make a lifechanging investment in the lives of Central Florida’s homeless. Learn more about pledging your financial resources by contacting our Development Department or visiting our website.

lfloridahomeless.org

events

more athan amea

What is a day at the Coalition like? How do we help homeless men, women, and families with children regain productive lives? Do we really provide services to nearly 800 homeless individuals every day?

Learn the answers to these questions and more at our monthly More than a Meal visit!

Beginning at 11:30 a.m., you and your friends will get an inspiring look behind the Coalition’s doors.

The next More than a Meal visit is August 14, 2012.

RSVP to Tracie Morris, Director of Development, today!

Sign me up!

August 14, 2012 July 2012 During the entire month of July, CRAVE Restaurant donated 5% of the proceeds from their CRAVE Cares menu, plus any additional contribution added to the bottom of customer checks, to benefit the Coalition!

In addition, Expedia Local Expert and Expedia, Inc. offered to match the funds raised by CRAVE, up to $1,000 each, tripling your impact!

Although we are still tallying the final result, we could not thank you enough for such incredible support! Because of a thoughtful community and partners like Crave and Expedia, we are able to help thousands of our neighbors every year.

Have a fundraising idea? Reach out to our Development Department and follow Crave’s lead!

Email development@cflhomeless.org.

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Share Our Strength’s 23rd Annual Taste of the Nat ion Orlando is only one month away !

By enjoying culinar y se nsations prepared by Central Florida’s leading chefs and mixologists, you ca n do your part to end childhood hunger .

100% of ticket sales w ill suppor t Share Our Strength’s efforts to en sure no kid grows up hungry.

Coalition for the Hom eless of Central Florid a and Second Har vest Food Bank of Central Florid a are the local beneficiar ies. Florida Impact is th e statewide beneficiar y.

To stay informed on th is evening of fine dinin g and entertainment, ‘Like’ Ta ste of the Nation Orla ndo on Facebook!

Purchase your ti

cket!

August 25, 2012 November 13, 2012

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RSVP no

breaking it down: sending your stuff

When we say that the Coalition depends on you for stuff, we mean it. Stuff like soap, diapers, and detergent come exclusively from the community - we do not have a budget for these items. So thanks for keeping us clean, Central Florida.

Take a look at a few guidelines to follow when supporting us with your stuff.

used stuff

Here at the Coalition, we have to use space wisely. Unfortunately, that means we do not have storage for used clothing BUT we still need your support!

We partner with local organizations like the Orlando Union Rescue Mission that operate a resale store AND offer our clients vouchers to shop for free!

PLUS we are always in need of the essentials: socks, underwear, and new items for new clients.You can also bring used linens and towels to replenish our always-depleted supplies.

Just like our struggle with used clothing, we do not have space to store used toys for our little ones.

The next best option? Books! Adults and children at the Coalition LOVE to read and crave a new arrival of donated books.

And while you’re at it, reading glasses (no prescription, please) go a long way in helping our senior residents enjoy those book donations!

groups to do stuff

We simply could not do the work we do without the support of groups.

From great activities for our residents to capital improvement projects on both of our campuses, groups dramatically transform the lives of our residents.

A group of 3 or more people can connect with the Coalition through our Director of Volunteer Services, Marty Vevera. Let us know what you want to do and when you want to do it!

food stuff

Not only does the Coalition depend on the community to provide more than 300,000 meals every year, but most of the food that we prepare is donated through food drives!

The next time you plan a food drive, think about this: we serve between 140 to 500 meals at one time (depending on the location). Soliciting for a specific item, like green beans, instead of canned goods, can help us to prepare larger quantities with your donation!

keeping up with the co

toy stuff