New shared articles/Home for the Holidays

I have been very selective about what gets added to the "we've done the research for you" section, in an effort to give you only the most important and relevant information. If you're really interested in housing, homelessness, social justice, or philanthropy, please check it out. Today's add is from Tactical Philanthropy and is about Google Finance's new effort to provide a centralized source for information about nonprofits- and the ability to create forum for user/donor interactions with each other and with the agencies. I'm a strong believer in all things Google- they are constantly adding relevant and practical tools that make my life easier. Another Google thumbs up goes to Google.org, their foundation arm. They are taking a venture capital approach to social change that I believe is the future of philanthropy. Anyways, check it out, and research Google.org if you have a chance.

Other news- Home for the Holidays today was a great success, in my opinion. Our social service and job fair was a hit, we were able to serve many needy families with toys AND provided food to take home for their whole family. Thank you to all the volunteers who made this event possible! By the way, HOME took the opportunity to get some important data from guests. In the next month or so, we'll have some really interesting information (with zip code level data, for all you dataheads) on the current needs and issues in the County. This is probably the most comprehensive and largest survey of Osceola families living in poverty that's been done for a long time (if not ever). I can already tell you just by glancing at 50 or so surveys that food security is a HUGE issue for our families. Almost all respondents reported that they "sometimes" or "often" worried about not having enough food to feed their family. Wow. We need to work on that.

As for the HOME campus update, site work is in full swing, and we are looking at a matter of weeks until move-in. Expect a big announcement early next week (no, it's not an open house date, but it's just as exciting). We have gotten lots of calls for donations since the Sentinel ran a blurb about our needs last week. Thank you to all who have donated- it is much appreciated. Sphere: Related Content

Maxwell Gardens + Sobik's= a path to self sufficiency

Check out this article in today's Orlando Sentinel. A great idea conceptually, the program plans to house homeless individuals and link them to jobs at the adjacent Sobik's Subs. For the homeless, chronic and families alike, employment and transportation to jobs are a few of the biggest barriers to self sufficiency. In the article, Helaine Blum says that no other companies were even interested in the concept. That's a shame.

There's this misconception that the homeless are somehow different, that they aren't like "us." That a sub made by a formerly homeless person won't taste the same as one made by the 16 year old neighbor kid. Here's a little exercise for you... Picture you without a job. You without family or a support system. You without a dime in your savings account. You without a place to shower and change into clean clothes. That's who the homeless are. Get it?

As the economy and job market becomes tougher, it only makes sense (cents?) for employers to look to new partnerships and solutions that ultimately help their bottom line. There is immense opportunity, particularly in the hospitality sector, to create innovations that improve families and ultimately make them better employees. A happy and housed worker is a good worker, right?

So if you get a chance, please make it a point to stop by the newest Sobik's in Orlando (it's located at 4049 S. Orange Blossom Trail). Where else can you grab a bite and know that you're doing some good in the community? Sphere: Related Content