HOME Accepts First Group of Women into Residential Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Program kicks off with a surprise “Welcome HOME” party

Kissimmee, Florida

November 9, 2007

Helping Others Make the Effort officially accepted its first group of women by playing a joke on them. Applicants were told to come with their families to the Barney E. Veal Center for a final panel interview with HOME Board members and supporters. When asked to enter the interview room, they were greeted by over 50 HOME supporters who cheered and yelled “congratulations!” HOME Board Chair Paul Owen congratulated the women and gave them an important task- to become role models of success for homeless families. “We will provide you with every tool you need to succeed, but it’s up to you to use those tools,” he said. After a few tears from both residents and guests, the party began. The Barney E. Veal Center generously provided meeting space at no cost, and local philanthropic organization Give Kids Safe Shelter made sure that everyone was well-fed by sponsoring refreshments.

The Welcome HOME party was more than just good news for the thirteen families accepted into the program. One mother hugged a Board member as they both wiped away tears. “Thank you,” she said, “this will change my life.” Several families already knew each other as neighbors at a local motel, but most were meeting for the first time. Families seemed to bond instantly over shared stories of struggle and newfound hope. Even the kids seemed to hit it off right away, with a few even making plans to hold talent shows and kickball games at their new home.

The thirteen families were selected out of a pool of about 50 applicants who went through a rigorous interview and screening process. The primary quality that set these women apart was their desire to become self sufficient. Many of the women have career or education goals that they will be able to pursue with HOME’s support. One wants to become a police officer, another would like to open a day care, and yet another is only one semester from completing her bachelor’s degree in education. “HOME is more than just a place to live,” said Executive Director Cara Eule. “We will invest the time, energy, and money in these families because they are worth it.” The HOME program will include extensive life skills education, tutoring and enrichment for children, vocational and educational assistance, and intensive case management. The first of its kind in Osceola County, the residential program offers hope and a way out to families who have been mired in the daily struggle of making ends meet.

About half of the accepted families reside permanently in motels, with the other half making the rounds of various friends’ couches, spending a few nights here and there before moving to the next place. The HOME program will offer a degree of stability that many families have not seen for a long time. Most of HOME’s families reported having stability until falling upon hard times or experiencing a crisis such as a car accident, loss of child care, or loss of a job. HOME and its supporters believe that they can help the families achieve their goals and empower them to give back to the community.

Unfortunately, even as the lives of these thirteen families were changed forever, hundreds more continue to live on the edge in Osceola County. A recent count from the Osceola School District revealed more than 900 school-age children are homeless in Osceola County alone, and all indications are that the count is low. HOME is working on several programs to provide resources to these families, and expects to roll out several new initiatives in full force by January.

HOME will be able to serve a whole family with a year’s worth of residential and supportive services for about $10,000- the same as it would cost that family to live in a motel for one year. On top of that, HOME will also be able to leverage about $11,000 per family worth of in-kind services such as counseling, life skills classes, and tutoring for kids.

For more information, please contact Cara Eule at (407) 460-2148 or Paul Owen at (407) 343-2207. Sphere: Related Content