The Mission In Citrus is proud to announce their seventh anniversary. It has been a long and rugged road, but the homeless proved that they could help each other since 2008. The new face of homelessness is veterans, and they have become a priority. The numbers in rural America continue to increase.The Mission in Citrus has helped lead the way in innovative projects that work to reduce the numbers.
Crystal River, Florida, October 14, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Since the Mission in Citrus homeless shelters opened in 2008, thousands have been helped by learning to stretch a dime into a dollar. The foundation for the Mission in Citrus and the rules and regulations that they still follow, were set up by their homeless founder and six other homeless people. It has been a long struggle, but their faith in God helped them to make it through many tough times. While they live by faith, no one is forced to pray or go to church. Most of them do on their own. Veteran's fought for that right.
Many said that it could not be done, but they have shown that it could be done, when given the proper resources. They have come a long way in the past six years, from over 60 tents to the three shelters that are operated today. Including a Veteran's shelter that opened in 2010. There were no high paid staff or administration expenses, other than the office supplies, leases, and other bills that were needed to operate. They have received awards from Great Nonprofits, the Guide Star Seal for transparency and many others over the past three years, and have more positive reviews than many other charities around the United States.
No Veteran should be Homeless or in Need
James Sleighter, Founder
They have been pioneers since the start, and have shown that most of the homeless Veteran's problem can be greatly reduced. Thanks to a state grant, they now have three paid staff. But there is far more to be done. They are only limited by funding. Grants are used for specific projects and cannot be used towards operational costs. The huge increase in homeless Veterans has strained their resources. They are hoping Congress will quickly act as many are disabled and in need of additional help. While they are helping more Veterans, they forget about the shelters that keep them off the streets and keep them safe.
The Winn Dixie Foundation has given them two grants totaling $ 50,000 over the past two years for Operation Mercy Call. Food, blankets, medical kits, tents, and much more were given out to help those in the woods. The program has been so successful that after installing their sprinkler system in the Veteran’s shelter, it is almost full. This year they have a grant submitted for a box truck which will help them to get additional food, and help from many other new sources. There is a long way to go, and much more to learn. They are very thankful that Winn Dixie has supported this very important project towards helping many in need.
They just received a $ 50,000 grant from Walmart to start Angels on Wheels... A very innovative project that will help many Veterans and others in need. The RV will be fully self-contained to set up at any location and provide much needed services to all... It will also help with their other programs as it will also be a mobile command center. They are very thankful that Walmart recognized the need and funded most of the project. http://www.adoptourveterans.com/angels-on-wheels.html
The Mission in Citrus has a very high success rate, due to offering a hand up and not a handout. And who better to help the homeless, then those who been there and have the knowledge to help others succeed. There have been many imitators, but the Mission in Citrus is the real deal...
Thanks to their success. Walmart, Home Depot, Big Lots, Winn-Dixie, Bed Bath and Beyond, and many others have been giving them merchandise, and grants that they give away freely in the community. Since their founding in 2008, they have given away everything from cars, to helping all that they can, as it was freely given to them. In today's economy, many cannot even afford thrift stores.
Homeless Veterans come to Citrus County Florida from the North due to health problems and warmer weather. And the Mission in Citrus homeless shelter's innovative and pioneer projects are able, and made to be a blue print for others. Like the military. They believe in. Get the job done.
The Mission in Citrus will continue to help all the homeless, but veterans have become a priority, as they are the new face of homelessness... Homeless Veterans now make up more than 60% of their shelter population. They invite all to check out their websites. Great Nonprofits Reviews, Guide Star, and many other sites, where they continue to show their transparency.
They would like to thank all those who have helped them make it this far, and believing in the homeless, and their pioneer effort that is proved to be highly successful. They know it is hard to put everything into a small press release, but those who check into them further will find out that they do many amazing things. And many people like to see their dollars in action. So they have made over 50 videos on YouTube to show their success, their funerals, their happy and sad times, and much more. And in addition, they are happy to show their former residents in their own homes, and working at many jobs in the community and throughout the United States.
In closing, they would like to once again thank all the corporations, business owners, and individuals that have been blessed, by blessing them. And most of all, they would like to thank their Heavenly Father for providing more miracles than they could count.
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