effective and efficient way. The sharing of these agencies has also helped each one to be more effective as they networked and continue to network with each other for the mutual benefit of us all.

For a limited list, these representatives include the American Red Cross, Career & Service Center, Charlotte County Health Department, Charlotte County Human Services, Department of Children & Families, Good Samaritans, Lighthouse Hot Meals Program, REACH, Legal Aid, Pregnancy Crisis Careline, Salvation Army, Veterans Services, St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, School Readiness, Center for Positive Aging, Children’s Advocacy, YMCA, HIV/AIDS, United Way, Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, AARP, Project HOPE, Girl Scouts, Goodwill and the Housing Authority. If you would like to know if a particular group is represented, please call 627-4313.

The work that is being done at the Genesis Center is quite extraordinary, considering the small beginnings, but as many of you know, Executive Director, Ana Romillo, has worked wonders taking the coalition from a small, dingy building that was vandalized and burned down in 2003, to a brand new building providing counseling and serving hot meals on a daily basis in 2004. It is both an understatement and an overstatement to say that the year 2004 forever changed life as many of us knew it in Charlotte County. We now mark time in “before” and “after” the hurricane(s). The storms have made life more difficult and have presented insurmountable obstacles to those who walk the fine line between survival and despair. Since 1989, the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, a private not-for-profit organization, has not wavered from its mission to PREVENT homelessness and hunger. This is accomplished in a variety of programs that aim to change people’s lives for the future, not just put a one-day fix on a situation. We think it’s important that the community understands what it is we do. So, here is an abbreviated annual report as to what has been accomplished in the year 2004. Because we are the lead agency in the Continuum of Care and receive financial support from a variety of sources, we keep accurate statistics of our work for those people in need. We try our best to be good stewards of the many contributions of time, talent and treasure that make a difference in the lives of others and those who contribute.

  387 “cases” received financial assistance to forestall eviction or mortgage foreclosure This represents 1,252 people: 272 males, 389 females and 591 children. These are the hidden homeless, the ones you don’t picture in your mind when you hear the word homeless

 We placed 123 clients in emergency housing, such as motels and transitional housing

  There were 119 persons documented in our in-depth case management program

  Our food pantry assisted 1,629 families with a total of 171,872 pounds of food given away equating to over 8,000 hungry people!

  The seven-night-a-week hot meal program (Lighthouse Outreach) served 12,635 dinners last year plus 8,669 take-away breakfasts and lunches

This totals a whopping 21,304 meals! Because we do not have a certified kitchen, we rely on area restaurants and churches to supply the meals. Special thanks to the Golden Corral, Family Table, Olive Garden, Luigi’s, Gators, Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s, International Buffet, Cap’n and the Cowboy, Mel’s Diner, McDonalds, Shell’s and Steak & Shake.

  When resources allow, we give out blankets, tents and sleeping bags to those who are living in the woods or in cars. (Yes, there are many who do that, especially after Charley).

  Because of a state grant, the Coalition was able to construct three homes for large families. They moved in on August 6th and fortunately because of the unique construction suffered little damage.

 More than 20,000 volunteer’s hours have been logged
 

Other chapters in 2004…

  Junior Leadership Charlotte adopted a project at the Genesis Center (headquarters of the Coalition and Lighthouse Outreach) in the Spring. The class created a child’s play area, constructed a fence and refurbished a lighthouse outside, which unfortunately did not survive Charley.

  The fifth annual Empty Bowls project brought hundreds of children and families together for awareness of hunger.

  In June, a luncheon was held to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Coalition and to thank the many volunteers who are the backbone of the Coalition.

  Our entry in the Kiwanis Christmas Card Lane was awarded the “Best of Show.”

  Special events held included the Tennis With a Heart Tournament in February, the Genesis Gala in March, a charity bike ride in October and Beaujolais Uncorked in November.

Because of their success, all are on the calendar for 2005 to help raise the funds needed to support our programs. President Bush cited the need for unity to get things accomplished in his address last week. It will take a unified effort of many entities working together here in Charlotte County to solve the challenge of ending chronic homelessness and providing affordable housing for our workforce. Who serves you at a restaurant or brings your newspaper? Who cuts your hair or cuts your lawn? Who paints your toes or paints your house? Who teaches your children or teaches you YOGA? It’s difficult to afford rent or a mortgage right now for many of these men and women in our neighborhood. Let’s work together to find solutions.

There are ways for everyone to maintain good health for themselves and their families and my future articles will include the opportunities in Charlotte County and how to avail yourself of them.

Please contact me at c1943x@comcast.net if you have specific questions.

By Penny Deutsch & Connie Thrasher
Board Members, Charlotte County Homeless Coalition
Connie is also the Director of  Income Development and Public Relations and can be reached at
941-627-4313

Please contact me at c1943x@comcast.net if you have specific questions.

Please click here  for additional information or if you would like to contact the author of this article, Penny Deutsch. Thank you!