CONNECT | August 2013

connect T H E

C O A L I T I O N

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A U G U ST

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BETTER LIVES &

opportunities in this i ssue

TASHA & ALEJANDRO’S STORY | UPCOMING EVENTS YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK | MEET BONNIE NEWMAN INTRODUCING ERIC AND HEATHER CHENEL

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HOMELESSNESS IMPACTS THE YOUNGEST AND MOST

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VULNERABLE AMONG US.

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS The world recently welcomed the long-awaited birth of a baby boy who will one day be King of England. The public has been captivated by Prince George Alexander Louis and seems to have an unquenchable appetite for bits of information about him. He will never know anonymity, hunger or poverty. His life will certainly be privileged and his destiny is certain.

In a different place, a continent away, with no media attention and nothing short of anonymity, another baby is born. Unlike the future King, his destiny has certain hurdles he will have to overcome. His mother is no less proud of him, but worries for his future... worries that are well-founded. He was born to a homeless woman who lives at Coalition for the Homeless and is, therefore, homeless himself. Two stories, two extremes, two responses from new mothers.

All this to say that homelessness impacts the youngest and most vulnerable among us. The misperception is that only single men are homeless, and they are all on street corners. The reality is the women and families with children at the Coalition...in addition to the men...whom YOU are generously helping toward independence with your dollars and volunteer time. Whether you are inclined to assist families like Tasha and Alejandro’s, or the single men who will benefit from our new Men’s Service Center, your investment is indispensible. Read on to see your impact.

Sincerely,

Brent Trotter President/CEO

LETTER

donate

now

BETTER

lives

BETTER

opportunities

THANKS

to you Tasha and her boyfriend, Alejandro, moved to Orlando from the Virgin Islands with hopes of providing a better life for their four children.

“Our oldest child is Danniel, the second one is Jahaneesha, the third is Jermaine, and our last one is Alejandro, Jr.,” Tasha shared. “We’re doing this for our kids, so that they will have better opportunities.”

After what couldn’t have been an easy move, the family found themselves in a situation that far too many in our country experience – homelessness.

Fortunately, they had Coalition for the Homeless to turn to during this time of crisis.

Since their arrival, Tasha and Alejandro’s older children have been enrolled in nearby schools, Alejandro has found employment, and Tasha has been working with one of our onsite partners, Goodwill Industries. This summer, the kids have enjoyed spending time at the Boys and Girls Club, another onsite program.

With help from their case manager, the family has a plan. “A year from now, I’d like to see my family living in a happy home,” Tasha said.

Your support has given this loving family of six nutritious meals and a safe place to stay while working toward their ultimate goal – a better life.

“A YEAR FROM NOW, I’D LIKE TO SEE MY FAMILY LIVING IN A HAPPY HOME.” CLIENTS

HAVING

&

fun

MAKING A

difference

DON’T MISS THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

Taste of the Nation Orlando

>>>>

AUGUST 10, 2013

Taste of the Nation Orlando is the highly anticipated foodie event that brings Central Florida’s top chefs together for one great cause – to end childhood hunger in Central Florida.

Last year, you helped raise over $200,000. As one of the event’s beneficiaries, the Coalition was able to provide nutritious meals to the hundreds of homeless children we serve every day.

Join us and more than 30 of Central Florida’s finest restaurants at this year’s event if you believe that no child in Central Florida should go hungry. Visit SHAREOURSTRENGTH.ORG/ORLANDO to purchase tickets.

more than a meal AUGUST 13, 2013

Because of you, lives are transformed at the Coalition every day. Come see your impact on the Coalition’s homeless men, women, and families like Tasha’s (see page 2) firsthand at our next More than a Meal informational session, where you’ll enjoy a light lunch and tour of our main campus.

RSVP online at CENTRALFLORIDAHOMELESS.ORG or contact the Development Department at 407.426.1256 or development@cflhomeless.org.

Macy’s Shop for a Cause AUGUST 24, 2013

Macy’s 8th annual Shop For A Cause day is on Saturday, August 24 and you can take part.

Purchase a $5.00 Macy’s shopping pass from the Coalition to receive 25% off regular, sale, and clearance merchandise, as well as 10% off electronics, furniture, mattresses, and area rugs. You will also be eligible to win a $500 gift card, no purchase necessary. Contact development@cflhomeless.org to purchase.

It’s simple. You save on your back-to-school items, and 100% of your shopping pass price benefits the homeless men, women, and children at the Coalition.

EVENTS

Volunteers from Starwood spent a day at WRCC redecorating/ painting resident rooms and landscaping to provide homeless women and children with a comfortable haven in which to work toward independence.

In an eventful week, CoSIDA Convention attendees raised $4,500, collected 200 items, AND provided a water day for the Coalition’s youngsters!

YOUR DOLLARS

Helping our residents celebrate the holiday in true fashion, Orlando Magic’s Glen Davis, Roxxanne Montana, and Power 95.3 threw an Independence Day BBQ at our main campus.

AT WORK

The Coalition could not do what we do without

$$$ YOU!

CONTRIBUTORS

The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a McCormick Foundation fund, and their generous $40,000 grant will help homeless individuals and families transition back into the community through our community housing programs.

Thanks to your support, eight residents recently graduated from Goodwill Industries of Central Florida/HSN’s Employability Skills Training, giving them the skills to get back on their feet.

GIVING BACK MEET BONNIE NEWMAN Art By Coalition Children (ABCs) is a program that pairs professional artists in the community with children living at the Coalition. Often struggling with low selfesteem, the Coalition’s homeless children benefit from the program’s nurturing environment where they can learn about the arts and have the freedom to express themselves.

As ABCs approaches its 10th Anniversary, we’d like to introduce you to Bonnie Newman, a woman whose heart and soul have been poured into the program since its beginning.

How did you get involved with the Coalition?

Retiring in April of 2005, I knew that I wanted to make volunteering a part of my retired life. When people ask me how I chose the ABCs program, I say that it was like an arrow from Cupid in the heart.

Walking through the program’s exhibit at City Hall moved me to become a friend of ABCs and that was that!

What was your first impression?

My first night volunteering was during a class with artist and sculptor Marsha DeBroske and artist Patricia Byron. I was immediately swept up in the excitement that the kids shared while creating the soft sculptures they were working on.

How often and in what capacity do you volunteer?

When we are in full swing, there are hours devoted to organizing supplies, prepping for classes, and assisting during the classes.

During the summer, we prepare for the new year by searching for artists and funding for supplies.

What has surprised you most about working with the Coalition?

The statistics about the Coalition’s service to children, families, veterans, mentally ill, and other groups amaze me. The average person has no clue about the true facts related to homelessness.

What is your fondest memory?

Fond memories are made each week with the children and families at the Coalition. When asking the kids what they enjoyed about their art class, I often hear how they enjoy the peace and calm in the art room while working on their creations. I remember back in 2006 during a photography class with Brian Becker, we had a teenage boy, Kevin, who was born with spina bifada and was bound to a wheel chair. His hands and fingers were curled, which impaired his motor skills. Kevin loved his camera and learned how to maneuver his fingers to take pictures from his perspective in his chair. His smile and pride about his accomplishments will forever be imprinted in my mind.

What do you do when you aren’t volunteering?

I love traveling, spending time with my four grandchildren and family, beading and making copper jewelry, and taking five mile walks with my husband.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?

I have three pieces of body art!

ABCs ART SALE You can purchase original artwork - including paintings, drawings and photographs – all framed and ready to hang.

View the gallery at CENTRALFLORIDAHOMELESS.ORG and contact Kristen Martin at kristen.martin@cflhomeless.org to purchase.

VOLUNTEERS

MEN’S SERVICE CENTER The Coalition’s main campus continues to be transformed, as construction of our Men’s Service Center (MSC) makes daily progress. The transformations that truly matter, however, will be the lives of the homeless men who soon take residence inside.

From job skills training to substance abuse recovery, single men will finally receive the same personalized help we are able to offer to women and families with children. This long-time dream is coming true, thanks to the generous supporters of our Journey Home Campaign’s Men’s Service Center Initiative.

MSC INVESTORS Eric and Heather Chenel and family Trip and Laurie Stephens Bill and Lisa Warren Charles and Jan Tews and family John and Monica Rivers Orlando Health Wells Fargo Foundation Bank of America Charitable Foundation Universal Orlando Foundation

MSC NAMING OPPORTUNITIES Overall building/facility naming Men’s living quarters south wing Veteran services Main lobby and corridor Beacon of Hope Dining hall Community room Technology First Steps dorm Kitchen Brick wall and landscape Disabled and elderly dorm Meeting space Second floor exterior deck

Employment/computer lab Staff lounge Second floor operations desk IT/server room Intake office

JOURNEY HOME

$1,000,000 $500,000 $298,000 secured $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $150,000 $100,000 secured $75,000 $50,000 $50,000 reserved 1 x $25,000 1 x $25,000 1 x $25,000 secured $25,000 secured $25,000 secured $20,000 secured $20,000 $10,000 secured

For information on naming opportunities in the Men’s Service Center, please contact the Development Department: > 407.426.1256 > development@cflhomeless.org

“THERE IS NO BETTER ORGANIZATION FOR HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA ACCOMPLISH THEIR DREAMS OF HAVING THE LIVES THEY DESERVE.”

GIVING

MEN A

CHANCE AT A

GREAT LIFE

INTRODUCING THE FIRST NAMING DONORS TO THE JOURNEY HOME CAMPAIGN: ERIC AND HEATHER CHENEL

Tell us a little about yourselves. Occupations? Hobbies?

Eric is a researcher, and Heather is a teacher. We love spending time with our two kind-hearted little girls, 5 and 2. We have a strong faith in God and know that He has the best intentions for all His children.

Through this great love is the knowledge that we have a responsibility to help others in need when we can.

How did you get involved with the Coalition?

Eric was an individual volunteer and donor back in his bachelor days and loved spending time helping the children. He also developed a passion for the success of the adults at the Coalition. Since then, he met a person with a wonderful heart, his wife Heather. Together they have been partners in helping others have the success and happiness with which they are so blessed. And, now, together with Eric’s parents, Denis and Peggy, they are humbled to be a part of helping with the new Men’s Service Center.

Why do you support the Coalition?

We care deeply about those in need, which is something that has been instilled in us by both our families since we were young. There is no better organization for helping individuals and families in Central Florida accomplish their dreams of having the lives they deserve.

What do you wish other people knew about homelessness?

We wish everyone could see firsthand the lives of others who experience homelessness. Knowing how blessed you are and seeing the challenges others face just to have the basic needs in life really motivates you to help. There are so many people with a great heart, but they don’t know the reality close up of how others struggle. Everyone deserves a chance at a great life, no matter what brought them to homelessness.

You were our first naming donor to the Journey Home - Men’s Service Center campaign. What excites you most about the upcoming Men’s Service Center?

The realization of a longtime dream come true! The services at the Coalition provided to women and children have been life changing.

For the same services to be available to the homeless men in Central Florida will make a huge difference in their lives and have a ripple effect through to their families and the community. We can’t wait to see this become a reality soon!

DONORS

to k c ba school d e d e e N s e i Suppl Help our kids get ready for school! Please drop off supplies for our Back to School Festival by August 14.

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Steel blade scissors 8 pack fat crayons Clear tape Dry erase markers Erasers Index cards with lines Colored pencils Markers – skinny and fat Folders with pockets and prongs Black and white composition books Highlighters Pencil boxes Spiral bound notebooks, wide ruled Spiral bound notebooks, college ruled Wide ruled note book paper College ruled note book paper 2 inch 3 ring binders Scientific calculators

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman

Vice Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

President/CEO

Timothy R. Baker, AIA Baker Barrios Architects, Inc. Randy E. Schimmelpfennig Morgan & Morgan, P.A. Elena Norman Hilton Grand Vacations Brian P. Buwalda CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP Brent A. Trotter Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc

Christopher Annunziato, Holland & Knight LLP Carlos A. Barrios PE, Stephens-Barrios Bakari F. Burns, Health Care Center for the Homeless, Inc. Fara K. Dantzler, Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Eric David, Expedia Local Expert Sylvia Doggett-Jones, Darden Restaurants, Inc. Tracey L. Ellerson, Baker Hostetler LLP Jim Fritz, Orlando Magic Ltd Glenn M. Fournier, Fournier & Associates, Inc. Eric D. Gassman, Orange County Government John E. Hearn, Orlando Utilities Commission David Jasmund, PCE Investment Bankers, Inc. Christine S. Kefauver, City of Orlando

Fred R. Kittinger, Jr., University of Central Florida Ronald R. Lamb, SunTrust Bank Trevor Larsen, PE, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Sean McLaughlin, CNL Financial Group / JDS Holdings, LLC Michael Miller, American Aviation Institute John P. Moskos, Bank of America Walter R. Nason, GrayRobinson, P.A. Lee Nimkoff, Brio Properties Laura Pooser, UCF College of Arts and Humanities John Rivers, 4R Restaurant Group Ty G. Roofner, Burr & Forman LLP John R. Schooler, Orlando Health Douglas M. Spencer, Spencer Consulting Services Scott R. Stahley, Lincoln Property Company of Florida, Inc. Samuel C. Stephens III, ZOM, Inc. Barbara Larson Stuart, The Stuart Group Charles Tews, Tews Company Richard G. Wack, Mediation Services of Central Florida, Inc. Robert F. Wagner, Tupperware Brands Corp.

Bill L. Warren, Reedy Creek Improvement District Michael Weinberg, HFF Brian T. Wilson, Dellecker Wilson King McKenna Ruffier & Sos Mark Woodbury, Universal Parks & Resorts Aaron Zandy, Ford & Harrison LLP

639 West Central Boulevard Orlando, FL 32801 407.426.1250 CentralFloridaHomeless.org