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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE:
ORLANDO, Fla. - (May 11, 2009) – Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty today jointly announced a significant investment in the programs and services at Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. The capital funding support will enable the Coalition to construct a new Men’s Service Center on its property at 639 West Central Blvd. and to offer much-needed case management and supportive services to the most underserved segment of the homeless population – homeless men. Using federal funds from their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs, Orange County will invest $5 million over an approximately 2˝ year design and construction period; and the City of Orlando will invest $1.6 million over a two-year period. This generous funding support will allow for the construction of a two floor, residential facility that will accommodate up to 250 men in dorm rooms. A dining/multi-purpose room is planned, along with offices for case managers and for community partners who can deliver services on-site. “With this announcement of funding for a new Men’s Service Center, the Coalition will be uniquely positioned to assist the most underserved of the homeless population,” said Coalition President/CEO Brent A. Trotter. “These men are brothers, fathers and sons…some veterans, some employed, but all in need of services that will lead to their independence and self-sufficiency. This new facility will allow us to provide more than a meal and a place to sleep for the night.” Similar to the Coalition’s programs for homeless women and families with children, the new Men’s Service Center will be able to provide residential, case-managed services to assist men on their journey to self-sufficiency. Planned services include: access to mental health counseling referrals; life skills training such as budgeting and savings; job skills training; access to educational opportunities; employment services; and health care referrals. The Coalition will house its men’s First Steps substance abuse recovery program in the new facility and will begin working on collaborations and partnerships to help provide an array of services to the homeless male population. “Today’s announcement is the start of a project that’s going to enhance the way we work to overcome the problem of homelessness in Parramore and throughout Central Florida,” said Mayor Dyer as he spoke about the City’s grant award for the new facility. “Furthermore, this is an affirmation that our commitment to partnerships between municipalities, our county governments, our faith based entities and non-profits is the right philosophy for addressing homelessness in our region.” In announcing Orange County’s funding support, Mayor Crotty stated, “This is the story of a great partnership committed to an important cause. More than just a shelter that turns men out onto the street every day, this will be a full service center designed to help them become more self-sufficient. It will offer us the opportunity to give them a hand up rather than a hand out.” District 5 City Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum also spoke in support of this substantial investment in the Coalition’s ability to serve homeless men. Ed Timberlake, Managing Chair of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness, voiced the Commission’s backing of this major step in the region’s 10-year plan to end homelessness. Coalition for the Homeless is the
largest provider of homeless services in Central Florida. ####### |
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