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2008 City Innovations Showcase
Human Services
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Give a Better Way! Program
City of Gainesville
“Give a Better Way!” is a partnership between the City of Gainesville and the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry (ACCHH). The ACCHH is a local collective of more than 15 social service providers that offers a wide variety of services to the homeless. Give a Better Way! directs donations to the ACCHH rather than giving change to panhandlers on the street, who may not be homeless. Citizens interested in making a contribution can donate at one of six donation meters downtown or online.
Contact: Russ Blackburn, City Manager
City of Gainesville
M.S. 6, P.O. Box 490
Gainesville, FL 32602-0490
Phone: (352) 334-5000
E-mail: gainesvillepio@cityofgainesville.org
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Senior Center – Financial Partnership
City of Holly Hill
In 2006, the City of Holly Hill, in partnership with the Council on Aging (COA), began a senior program at Sica Hall, a public facility operated by the city. The city experienced a reduction in revenues and was unable to pay the cost to run the program with the COA. A local philanthropist came forward and pledged the financial support to run the program for the next five years. Programs provided to the seniors include arts and crafts, yoga, bingo, socials, health screenings, dance lessons, outings and much more. These programs are designed to bring seniors out of their homes to interact and socialize with other members of their peer group and become active in the community.
Contact: Joseph Forte, City Manager
City of Holly Hill
1065 Ridgewood Avenue
Holly Hill, FL 32117
Phone: (386) 248-9425
E-mail: jforte@hollyhillfl.org
Independent Living Residences for Former Foster Youth
City of Pembroke Pines
Pembroke Pines partnered with the Florida Department of Children and Families and Broward Children’s Services Council to ease the transition from foster care to independence for emancipated former foster youth ages 16 - 23. Currently, foster children are discharged at age 18. The average American youth becomes financially autonomous at age 25. Without family, resources, training or experience, many former foster youth find themselves alone, unemployed and homeless. The City of Pembroke Pines is providing a safe, supported living experience in two-bedroom apartments with reduced rent, a community self-governance program, young professional neighbors as mentors and access to services such as life-skills training, life coaching and more.
Contact: Gordon Keibler, Assistant City Manager
City of Pembroke Pines
10100 Pines Boulevard
Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
Phone: (954) 431-4484
E-mail: gkeibler@ppines.com
City’s Social Services Constructs Building for Local Agencies
City of North Port
The City of North Port’s Social Services Division is constructing a 7,800-square-foot building that will house nonprofit service agencies, including the Child Protection Center, Domestic Abuse Shelter Home, Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County, Healthy Start and the Sarasota County Women’s Resource Center. The North Port Family Service Center will open by summer 2008. This was made possible through partnerships with the Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Selby Foundation. It also received a Sarasota County Community Development Block Grant. The surrounding community is working to create a campus of activity where the new building is located.
Contact: Zulma Solero, Social Services Manager
Social Services Department
City of North Port
6950 Pan American Boulevard
North Port, FL 34287
Phone: (941) 548-0130
E-mail: zsolero@cityofnorthport.com
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Homelessness Services Fair
City of St. Petersburg
In September 2007, the City of St. Petersburg transformed one of its largest entertainment facilities downtown into a one-stop customer-focused venue connecting homeless individuals and others in need with a variety of services. The first Project Homeless Connect offered an array of services including health screenings, eye and vision checks, HIV testing, preventative medical care, women’s and children’s health services, nutritional information and more to an estimated 900 homeless people. Legal counseling, a Florida I.D., job assistance, housing assistance, veterans’ services, haircuts, along with a continental breakfast and lunch, also were offered during the free, seven-hour event. Nearly 300 volunteers and 90 local government and social service agencies, medical providers, corporations, Veterans Administration, Salvation Army, American Red Cross and the YMCA participated by donating cash or food, volunteering, stepping forward with services or providing personal hygiene items.
Contact: Rhonda Abbott
Manager of Social Services Planning
City of St. Petersburg
175 Fifth Street N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 893-7627
E-mail: rhonda.abbott@stpete.org
Temple Terrace Senior Expo
City of Temple Terrace
The goal of the Temple Terrace Senior Expo is to provide seniors with an opportunity to meet with local area services and businesses that cater to seniors and their needs. More than 30 agencies, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Seniors in Service and the Elder Justice Center, distribute information and answer questions at this free annual event that draws 200 to 300 seniors. In addition to providing information, several agencies offer free health screenings such as bone density, glucose and blood pressure screenings. The Senior Expo also provides free entertainment and door prizes to participants.
Contact: Kelly Ahern
Senior Programs Recreation Leader III
Parks and Recreation Department
City of Temple Terrace
10901 N. 56th Street
Temple Terrace, FL 33617
Phone: (813) 989-7183
E-mail: kahern@templeterrace.com
Elders on the Edge
City of West Palm Beach
Elders on the Edge is a program designed to give people in the community an opportunity to sponsor a low-income senior. Seniors receive help with rental and utility payments, relocation, household repairs, building wheelchair ramps, medical devices or medications, legal costs and other unmet needs. The city works in partnership with Legal Aid Society. All donated funds are used to help the seniors in crisis.
Contact: Lela Jordan
Youth and Family Services Division
Mayor’s Office
Vickers House
City of West Palm Beach
3801 Georgia Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
Phone: (561) 804-4975
E-mail: ljordan@wpb.org
Homeward Bound Program
City of West Palm Beach
The Homeward Bound Program offers homeless people the opportunity to reunite with their families. Verification of acceptance by a relative is mandatory. If homeless are eligible, a non-refundable/non-transferable bus ticket is purchased through donations. Each ticket costs approximately $140.00. The city works in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff Foundation. One hundred percent of the donations go to the purchase of the bus tickets. Some of the journeys for the homeless are across the country and may take several days on the bus. So far, more than 470 people have taken advantage of this opportunity.
Contact: Lela Jordan
Youth and Family Services Division
Mayor’s Office
Vickers House
City of West Palm Beach
3801 Georgia Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
Phone: (561) 804-4975
E-mail: ljordan@wpb.org
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