"UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL" WITH THE COALTION FOR THE HOMELESS

​As part of the 'UP CLOSE & PERSONAL TOUR' journey, The Phileo House team is visiting several facilities and organizations that dedicate themselves to helping the homeless community in Orlando. Our leadership team wants to better understand how other shelters operate so we can build meaningful relationships, share insights, and ultimately collaborate.
Our first stop, at the time I am writing this blog article, was The Coalition for the Homeless on August 7th at 11:00 AM. It was an eye-opening and enlightening experience. It proved to be organized and thorough one, with both Ms. Aj Mirisola and Miss Andrea Alexander as terrific guides!

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New learnings?​

• Homeless individuals can walk in starting at 8 AM to be evaluated. An Intake Form will be completed, and if a bed is available, it will be offered right there. Entrance is through Parramore Ave.
• Food is served three times a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
• Daycare is available, which is public for anyone interested.
• Close time is 3:30 pm.
• When the individual in need arrives on or after 3:30 PM,  they will be asked to return the next day for the  Intake process.
• OPD (Orlando Police Department) is available for emergencies called in by homeless people themselves. We were made aware that The Coalition will accept each person brought in by them or a hospital for an overnight stay.
• You can help by volunteering your time in many needed areas and for events. You must connect directly with them.

Multiple other facts and pieces of information were shared, and were extremely helpful to acquire. We were blessed to meet Mrs. Allison Krall as we toured, their outgoing CEO, an unplanned yet powerful surprise.  

​ We hope to connect with her at some point in time and have the honor of learning from her vast expertise and kindness.
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​Knowledge helps us to serve better and collaborate more efficiently. The Bible says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge". This speaks as to why we are, committedly, investing the necessary time to learning and connecting with others, and avoid reinventing the wheel.

Let's set foot and work together in Orlando for our homeless friends. Our intentional work to disrupt the harsh cycle of homelessness is not a one-man job. It is in togetherness that we can better serve our homeless women and kids, and create real and lasting change. Humbly and steadfastly, The Phileo House will open its shelter doors to serve! 

Thanks, always, for your prayers and financial support!

Check our Calendar of Events here to stay abreast of our "Up Close and Personal Journey"! We visited Family Promise of Greater Orlando on August 12th, which will be the focus of the next blog article. 

We are delighted to be touring The  Salvation Army tomorrow, August 21st. I am expectant of nothing but a powerful God-centered time together.