Initiatives to Support the Local Homeless Population
This time of year, families across Pensacola are busy decorating their homes, wrapping presents and planning menus for their upcoming holiday gatherings. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the community, numerous individuals are unable to experience the joy of these holiday traditions and are struggling to get by.
With so many individuals finding themselves “street homeless” (i.e. homeless individuals who live exclusively in camps or on the streets) this holiday season, they are often stuck camping outside or have to visit shelters to get off the streets. Shelters across the city are seeing an increase in the number of individuals seeking their services or in need of help.
“There’s been an increased demand for services,” Executive Director of Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola (REAP) Vinnie Whibbs said. “We have a substantial waiting list at the MaxWell Respite Center.”
Data from the annual point-in-time count, conducted in January, revealed that there are 1,123 homeless individuals throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. People live on the streets for different reasons. Many struggle with addiction, mental illness or substance abuse. Others may be unable to afford a place to live on a minimum wage salary due to increased housing costs.
Meanwhile, Escambia County has proposed an ordinance that would ban overnight camping on any public property under the county’s jurisdiction. This ordinance was proposed in response to a new state law that forbids local governments from allowing camping on publicly owned or managed properties. The county’s goal is to move homeless individuals away from overnight camps by December. Many community partners and homeless outreach organizations are working together to provide unified outreach to help move campers to supportive services.
These local organizations and programs need assistance from other shelters and the community. From donating funds to city programs and initiatives to volunteering at homeless shelters, there is so much that Pensacolians can do to support homeless individuals.
“Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s are always stressful for everybody, and it’s certainly more difficult for anyone struggling with any kind of addiction or lack of housing,” Whibbs explained. “So, we need to have our community service providers, faith-based organizations and nonprofits work with these individuals and recognize they’re having a more difficult time because of the season, and make special accommodations for that. Providing food for Thanksgiving, giving presents and toys for Christmas, etc., are things that we can all participate in.” After the holidays are over, Whibbs suggests the best way for Pensacolians to continue to assist the homeless population is to figure out ways to support city housing initiatives.
“I want the community to do the research and watch who’s doing the work here and then get behind that agency because it’s going to take the whole community,” elaborated Melissa Johnson, CCHW, co-founder and executive director of Fearless Community Inc. “It’s not always about handing money to that person on the corner. Take them a resource; ask them if there’s something you as a person can do, or call or email our agency. Then we’ll go assess an area and bring resources. I wish the community would realize that together, we can do this.”
Read on to learn more about some local homeless health resources, programs, shelters and initiatives.
Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola’s (REAP) Max-Well Respite Center
The Max-Well Respite Center is a transitional housing program designed to help families, couples, veterans and single individuals transition from dependency to independence and self-sufficiency.
“At the Max-Well Center, we have housing for roughly 80 individuals,” Whibbs explained. “We have provided initiative into supported housing. There are also meals served three times a day, and then, most importantly, we offer case management services that assist individuals to make their transition to independence.”
REAP Max-Well Respite Center’s mission is to help those in need through a holistic approach including physical, spiritual, mental and social aspects of their life. Skills learned through the center will allow people to grow their strengths in all aspects of themselves as they return to become productive members of the community. To learn more about REAP’s Max-Well Respite Center, visit reapreentry.org/donate-to-max-well-respite-center.
Waterfront Rescue Mission (WRM) – Hope for Her
Hope for Her Hope for Her, WRM’s latest calling, aims to provide safe refuge for hurting and homeless women along the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. In recent years, the issue of homelessness has grown significantly, especially among women in Escambia County. Contributing factors include economic instability, domestic violence, lack of affordable housing and more. The need for dedicated services for homeless women in Escambia County has never been more prudent. By supporting Hope For Her, WRM can provide overnight shelter for up to 49 single women each night. The facility will offer access to restroom and shower facilities, clean clothing and laundry services, warm beds, meals and support from chaplains and other WRM personnel. Most importantly, the women who stay at WRM will be safe and secure from the dangers of sleeping on the streets.
“Many women in our community face unique challenges and require specialized support,” said Lexi Osburn, WRM’s PR and development associate. “This new effort integrates with our existing services, including rescue programs to offer comprehensive assistance tailored to individual needs. Opportunities exist for those with long-term goals, like securing gainful employment and obtaining housing, or for those simply needing a night of shelter.” For more information about Hope for Her, visit waterfrontmission.org/hopeforher.
Waterfront Rescue Mission (WRM) – Arukah Respite Center
The Arukah Respite Center, another WRM initiative, provides a space for homeless individuals needing a safe, clean environment to recuperate immediately following a hospital discharge. WRM’s facilities offer comfortable accommodations including two medical respite dorms, one designated for men and one for women. The dorms are equipped with medicalgrade beds, ensuring that guests have a sanitary place to reside as they recover. They also receive meals, clothing and access to other supportive services in an ADA-compliant facility. Home healthcare providers, physical therapists and other medical professionals may come on campus to assist guests with their recovery. Guests are case-managed during their stay and are referred to either a WRM program or a partnering program upon discharge to help reduce the hospital readmission rate. WRM chaplains are available to offer counseling, guidance and support, helping individuals explore their spiritual well-being and plan their next steps. For more information about the Arukah Respite Center, visit waterfrontmission.org/arukah.
Overflow Health Alliance
Overflow Health Alliance was formed by a group of concerned and like-minded individuals working together toward community sustainability and enrichment. Founded in 2018, this organization has made significant contributions to the most underserved and disenfranchised populations. The mission of Overflow Health Alliance Inc. is to improve the quality of health of each person served by offering preventative healthcare service, disease prevention education, treatment and innovative community outreach to those who are financially challenged or uninsured. While founded in Jacksonville, Overflow Health Alliance is now extending services to Pensacola at 3101 N. Davis Hwy. Overflow’s dedicated staff provides a seamless stream of holistic services that stimulate healthier living options. Services include case management, treatment adherence, service navigation, utility and housing assistance, mental health counseling, supplemental nutrition, career development and more. This location also includes a 60-bed medical center for homeless and displaced citizens. To learn more about Overflow Health Alliance’s new Pensacola location, visit overflowhealthalliance.org.
Fearless Community Inc.
Fearless Community Inc. is a community agency that conducts boots-on-the-ground outreach in homeless encampments anywhere from Century to Pensacola Beach and Gulf Breeze. In the last few months, Fearless Community has been able to open a new program called the Fearless Community Inc. Resource Center. This new resource center is located at the former Salvation Army property on “S” Street where REAP’s “The Lodges” women’s shelter operated until it closed last year. The facility will offer shortterm transitional beds for men, women and veterans who are “street homeless,” and need a safe place to transition to the next step toward rebuilding their lives.
“After doing so much one-on-one outreach in this community, we’ve found that many individuals lack love, and something that my agency strives on is loving without judging them,” Johnson said. “Within that, we do rely on the community; we have local restaurants that sponsor all of our meals. It’s just another connecting piece that brings the community together to help the next community member, and that’s what our agency is about.”
For more information about Fearless Community Inc. initiatives, donations and volunteering, visit fearlesscommunity.org.
City of Pensacola Police – Community Response Team
The Pensacola Police Department’s newly formed program within the city’s Community Outreach Division focuses on connecting those experiencing homelessness to necessary services and resources. This team has partnered with local agencies such as Waterfront Mission, Ministry Village, REAP, Opening Doors NWFL, Lakeview Center, Pathways for Change and more.
“The services that we provide, in a nutshell, are resources and referrals,” Brittany Harris, City of Pensacola Community Response Specialist said. “We connect the unhoused to organizations and Agencies that offer those services that the unhoused state that they’re in need of. [Homeless individuals] are their own advocate first. So, we allow them to tell us what they’re in need of, then we connect and refer them.”
The community can get more involved and help the Community Response Team and Law Enforcement Officers bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community. Consider making donations to local service providers, notify the Community Response Team if someone needs nonemergency assistance and learn more about homelessness and related initiatives that can make a difference for the community. For more information, visit the Community Response Team webpage at cityofpensacola.com.