ORLANDO, Fla. – After 16 years of service, IDignity will break ground Wednesday on its very own building in Orlando.
Since its inception, IDignity has assisted 33,000 people in Orange County in obtaining essential documentation, allowing them to work, secure housing and access benefits. Their new headquarters, at 1115 S. Division Ave., will enable the organization to continue its mission of support for years to come.
“So we provide you legal counsel, work with the government agencies to get your birth certificate, your social security card, your driver’s license, or your state ID,” Executive Director of IDignity Michael Dippy said.
Sixteen years ago, five downtown Orlando churches united to address an unmet need for U.S. citizens lacking identification, leading to IDignity.
Dippy explains that having the proper documents opens a world of opportunities that would otherwise remain inaccessible.
“You cannot get employment. You cannot get housing. You can’t get proper health care; you can’t get much of an education. So, it’s a real barrier to entry into society,” Dippy noted.
He emphasized the importance of their work in helping individuals access services and maintain stability.
“We enable them to now get a job, to access bank accounts, to access benefits so they can afford their own place to live and don’t fall into the plight of homelessness, because it is a horrific plight,” he said.
For years, IDignity has operated from rented spaces. Now, with the purchase of land for their own building, they are poised to continue offering their services for generations to come.
“The current university estimates are that about 10-11% of our society suffers from this identification crisis. That’s about 117,000 here in Orange County. We’ve served 33,000, but that shows we’ve got about 40 to 50 years left,” Dippy added.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, with the new building expected to open its doors by this time next year.
For more information on IDignity, visit their website.
