SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County’s only homeless shelter is asking for more than half million dollars so they continue to support people in need without cutting any services.
“This is a water-based system, so we’ll have fresh lettuce and a week or so that we can also cook and will add and supplement our meals,” said Rescue Outreach Mission Executive Director Chris Ham.
Growing produce, providing beds and computers and more.
“We have computers for our students provided by Seminole County public schools so students after school can come into their homework or if they’re homesick, they can sit and do work on their laptops,” Ham said.
Rescue Outreach Mission is giving families experiencing homelessness a chance to get back on their feet.
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“This year, we’ll hit 230. As of today, we’ve helped 192 individuals transition into permanent housing,” Ham said.
To keep helping, Executive Director Chris Ham said they need $600,000 in additional funding.
On top of the $200,000, the county already promised.
“The COVID funding has expired. We’ve been really good at raising money, but when you start with zero, it’s very difficult to grow that,” said Ham.
“We have, we’re in conversation with the county manager and county commission to look at options.
Ham said if they don’t get the money, they’ll have their case management program and also some of the services throughout the day.
He said the increase is due to higher cost of food, utilities and other adjustments needed caused by inflation.
“I’m supportive of the request as long as it’s up to amount so that we’re not simply handing over funds we’re making sure that they’re getting used for the mission,” Seminole County Commissioner Andria Herr said.
The county gave the emergency shelter $2 million in COVID funding helped the organization stay afloat over the last three years.
Commissioner Andria Herr wants to continue supporting the mission.
“Right now it’s on an uphill trajectory in terms of the good outcomes that they’re having. They’re serving the population. We’re housing 200 people a year into permanent housing. our recidivism rate is really good. This is an organization we should be supporting,” Herr said.
Commissioner Herr said if approved, the money would come out of their general funds.
They plan to review the request a future board meeting in the coming months.
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