Christmas 2012 at The Charlotte County Homeless Coalition

Christmas came with lots of blessings this year at the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition complete with Santa Claus and plenty of entertainment for our shelter children and families.  Recently the Homeless Coalition was faced with a troubling hurdle -- our shelter waiting list continued to grow with countless families needing somewhere safe and warm to lay their heads. Leaving many to ask "What are we going to do?"  CCHC staff quickly decided to make some adjustments and now our shelter is set up to take in more families. Unfortunately, our waiting list continues to grow.  As of Christmas morning, CCHC was home to more than 30 children.  Good news is -- those 30+ children had an AMAZING Christmas that was filled with tons of gifts, including brand new bikes for every child.  On December 15th -- New Hope Church and the AmeriCorps VISTAs teamed up once again to throw a Holiday Extravaganza (seen here in the pictures).  The day was fun and festive and wouldn't have been possible without the generous contributions of Richard Hearn -- who filled in for Santa Claus, Cake Concepts -- who provided the beautiful cakes, Galactic Bounce -- who provided the bounce house and many more individuals who provided hours of entertainment.

Thank You From All of Us!

May your days be merry and bright this year and every year!

Halloween Comes Early for CCHC Shelter Kids

 Halloween came early for the shelter children at the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition this year -- thanks to the many volunteers, individuals and local businesses that came together to make it all happen.  On Thursday night -- Oct. 25th, 2012 -- Kids 4 Change poured into the shelter with costumes, candy, cupcakes, punch and even a couple of balloon animal experts -- filling the night air with haunting delight! 

On Saturday -- the AmeriCorps VISTAs serving Charlotte County and the shelter's party planning committee put on a spooktacular party complete with a pumpkin carving contest -- where everyone was a winner, candy apples and zombie pinata.  Thank you to Subway in Murdock and Subway on Harbor for donating the delicious sandwiches and Papa John's Pizza for donating the birthday gift certificates!  Whoop Whoop -- what a treat it was to be a part of this amazing day.  So as you trick or treat and gorge yourself in Milk Duds, Snickers and lollipops this year -- count your blessings because as we all go home and tuck ourselves into our warm beds -- the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition continues to be filled to capacity with children and families who no longer have that luxury.

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN 

LOVE,

KELLY

Kids 4 Change!!!

Add caption

Generation Invisible

 

Need I Say More?

Much Needed Fun for Homeless Children

I have been working at the homeless coalition as an AmeriCorps VISTA for 7 months now and each week I still find myself surprisingly shocked at the amount of children residing in our safe house shelter.

Just a couple of weeks ago, we had 22 children in our shelter -- this week we have 14.  It breaks my heart to see countless children and families come through our doors each week needing immediate shelter -- but one thing is for sure -- I am glad that we can help.

I can't imagine what it must be like to be a homeless child -- to be faced with the harsh reality that you don't have your own bed, your own home, and many times -- food to eat.  I can't imagine the weight that these young souls carry with them daily -- hearing their parent's talk about not having enough money to provide the basic essentials that their family needs. 

As a VISTA, I am in a unique position to be that change I wish to see in the world -- honestly, one doesn't need to be a VISTA to do this -- anyone can make a difference in the lives of others.  However, being a VISTA has allowed me the opportunity to do some incredible things and has provided me the platform in which to do those things -- things like putting together a fun day of activities for our shelter children.

With a generous donation of a bounce house from Galactic Bounce in North Port -- we were able to provide these amazing children with a fun-filled day of back-flips, bounce basketball, and endless trips down the bouncy slide. Donna Baggott, a regular CCHC volunteer and remarkable face-painter came to the event and spent hours painting beautiful butterfly, kitty-cat, and dragon faces on our children -- who just loved every minute of it. A local DJ even came to provide hours of non-stop music and entertainment.  Food was also provided by New Hope Church who hosts a BBQ once a month for the homeless in the CCHC parking lot.  All-in-all -- it's just what everyone needed -- a moment to just laugh and enjoy each other and leave their worries behind -- if only for a moment.

I personally would like to thank everyone who made this event possible -- especially my fellow VISTAs -- David and Courtney.

One Love,
Kelly

Who Am I (a poem)

Who am I?

I am but a face, I have a voice but am not heard.

I am seen but, am not seen by so many.

I walk amongst you, but, not beside.

I am like you in many ways, yet I am different as well.

I am perceived as dirty, unkempt, and other words of disgust.

I am to be loathed and feared, and so am misunderstood.

I am a drunk, a druggie, vagabond or bum.

I am deemed worthless, a wretched soul with no use.

I am sometimes hunted for the infliction of pain.

I am ridiculed at times, spat upon or shoved aside.

I am at times forgotten and just passed by.

I am nothing more than "one of them."

I am a Mother's Son or Daughter.

I am a Brother or a Sister, A Mom or a Dad.

I am an Uncle, Aunt or even a Grandparent.

I am a friend or a neighbor or someone you knew.

I am surrounded by many but am so alone.

I am made of flesh of bones and blood.

I am hungry and tired, I am sometimes young and sometimes old.

I am cast away and now see the world in a different view.

I was like you once, I had a home in which I dwelled.

It was like yours made of nails and wood, sturdy and sound.

The roof kept me dry when the rains came down.

The walls kept the cold nights at bay when I lay down to sleep.

I was like you once in so many ways.

I too thought I would never be like "one of them."

I now am "one of them," the forgotten and the shunned.

I am a mere face that is often overlooked and a voice that is not heard.

I hear your words as you pass me by.

I see your eyes as they look away or look at me with disgust.

I am no longer part of a world which I once lived in.

I am nothing more to you than "one of them."

I now have no home, no bed or walls.

I am hungry, tired and sometimes cold.

My roof and walls are made of cloth and threads and leak in the rain.

I shiver at night when the cold winds blow.

I have feelings -- so many it seems.

I, like you, feel happy and pain, laughter and sorrow.

My eyes show my inner self but not as I was.

Now they show wonder and fear the twinkle has left.

Who am I -- you ask and what does this all mean?

The answer is simple.

I am a Mother's Son.

How quickly you forget, I am a person.

-- Author Unknown
Thank you to whomever you are that wrote this and put it on my desk! One Love -- Kelly

The Homeless Coalition (a poem)

The Homeless Coalition

by Larry Adams

Homelessness, what is it I say?

Some say it's a choice

Some just live that way.

For me, homeless is guilt and shame

For when I threw out my back

It was never the same.

I lost my home

When the money ran out

And then the car just broke down.

On to the street

Hanging my head

Wake in the morning

Just wishing I was dead.

Where ever I go people look and then stare.

"I don't know him -- what do I care!"

And then one day

I heard of this place

Where people really care

You're not just a face.

I was able to shower

And eat a hot meal.

To some that's not much

To me it's a big deal.

They gave me a bed

With a roof over my head

And in the morning I ate donuts and bread.

I got new clothes to wear

And shoes on my feet.

 There were others around

Who were just like me.

I talked to my case manager

To see what I could do

They helped with housing, more clothing, and even school.

So now I ask what homelessness is?

It's millions of people and LOTS of kids.

So don't hang your head

Or hide in shame

Get a helping hand up

You'll NEVER be the same.

The Many Talents of Charlotte County's Homeless

I don't think many people in society realize how much talent is lurking in our woods, our shelter, or our community in general.

Homeless people are people just like you and me --the only difference between you and them...is your house.  Before you turn a blind eye to those who are in need, ask yourself "Could that one day be me?"

One Love,

Kelly