Currently under construction, HOME is a visionary approach to helping mothers and their children to transition out of homelessness and into mainstream society.  Phase 1 of HOME (the first 16 family units) should be ready for families by September/October.  Families receive training in: getting and keeping a job, managing their money, keeping up a residence, parenting skills, and more.  When they begin operation they will need volunteers to teach life enrichment classes (from practical things like parenting and budgeting to recreational things like gardening, pottery, or make-up).  We support them with money from the giving baskets and we are working with them to help galvanize support for the program in the faith-based community. Our contact: Cara Eule/ 407-933-0870/ 1502B Village Oak Lane, Kissimmee/ www.osceolahome.org.

A multi-faceted program for those in homelessness and poverty.  Volunteering there may involve working in the kitchen, at the front desk, sorting clothes at the thrift shop, giving someone a haircut, or handing out food boxes.  Our contact: Paula Almallah/ 863-687-4076/ www.lighthousemin.org/  215 E. Magnolia St., Lakeland, FL 33801.

They operate two campuses for parents (mostly mothers) with children, each with over 100 residents at any time. The families are all case managed and in programs designed to help them transition into the mainstream. The Coalition also operates a 275-spot facility for transient men. The Coalition’s needs are: supplies (they provide a list of needs) and volunteer support, mainly in the form of people buying, making and serving dinners. Our contact: Lorri Highet/ 407-8725784/ highetl@cflhomeless.org www.centralfloridahomeless.org/ 638 W. Central Blvd., Orlando.