Homeless Services Network of Central Florida Newsletter

Homeless Services Network of Central Florida
Volunteer Newsletter
July 9, 2009
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in this issue
Veterans Stand Down – 8/8
Upcoming Events
The Challenge Ahead

You’re receiving the first of many messages from Homeless Services Network regarding upcoming volunteer opportunities. You are receiving this message because you previously participated or registered to participate in an HSN community event. If you would like to be removed from this mailing list, just use the convenient SafeUnsubscribe link at the bottom of this message.

If you’ve participated in one of our events before, you know what a rewarding experience it can be. Read on for news on what we have in store in the coming months and the challenges we face in providing services to the homeless.

Veterans Stand Down – Sanford, FL
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Seminole County is holding its first Veterans Stand Down on Saturday, August 8, 2009, through a partnership with the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida and the Veterans Administration. Veterans Stand Down events are similar to HSN’s Project Homeless Connect events, but targeted specifically at the needs of homeless veterans. About 40 service agencies will be at the event in Sanford which is anticipated to serve more than 125 homeless veterans with meals, showers, food bags, clothing, employment opportunities, shelters, medical care, IDs and other essential services

Volunteers can perform any of the following tasks:

* Intake (one-on-one interviews with homeless veterans, completing a simple intake form)
* Shepherd (assist veterans as they navigate the many services available)
* Distribution (hand out pre-assembled donations of food bags, clothing and backpacks)
* Showers/Clothing (maintain the shower area and assist with selection of underwear and clothing)
* Set-up/Take down (arrange/remove tables, chairs, signs)
* Crowd control (direct veterans and volunteers to registration; answer basic event questions)

Registration: The deadline for registration is Monday, August 3, 2009. For registration and other information, please visit our web site.

Upcoming Project Homeless Connect Events
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HSN and its partners have other events on the horizon:

* East Orange PHC, tentatively scheduled for September
* Veterans’ Stand Down, Orlando, September 26
* Discovery Church PHC, tentatively scheduled for October
* Downtown PHC, December 4, 2009

If you would like more information about these upcoming events, you don’t have to do anything. You’re already on our mailing list and we’ll update you as details are finalized. Stay tuned!

The Challenge Ahead
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Part of the reason HSN is having difficulty finalizing events is because of cutbacks the Florida Legislature has made in funding homeless services across the state. As a result of these cutbacks, HSN has become increasingly dependent on its community partners, who are experiencing similar decreases in funding themselves.

All is not lost and there are still grant opportunities available. HSN will be submitting an application for a challenge grant through the Florida Department of Children & Families. We have already appealed to our community partners for their assistance, but volunteers can get involved as well.

As part of our grant applications, we are able to count every volunteer hour as evidence of community support for what we do at these events. The amount of support you have all given to Project Homeless Connect has been remarkable. We really could not ask for more.

However, what we will ask for is for you to help us keep track of the hours you volunteer for us. Please be sure to sign in and sign out whenever you volunteer for one of our events. This goes a long way in helping us accurately calculate our total volunteer hours so we can leverage our grant applications. Thanks!

Contact Information
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phone: 407-893-0133