5 ELVES OF INTEREST
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spirit at HFC.
Holiday
activities for
the families
go on in the
community as
well as at the
center. “For
instance,”
Lumenti
explains, “on
December 13
there will be
a children’s
cookout and
party provided
by the Fiasco
10 WAYS YOU CAN HELP
1. Take a tour
2. Invite us to speak
3. Organize a canned food drive
4. Donate your skills and talents
5. Organize an event to benefit HFC
6. Organize a clothing drive
7. Sponsor and serve a meal
8. Adopt a family
9. Celebrate a special occasion
10. Become a partner in rebuilding a life
Details are available on the HFC Web site.
Brothers, who also will have a toy drive for HFC. Christ
by the Sea (United Methodist Church) puts a Christmas tree
in their church with gift tags for each client. Sebastian Fishin’
Chics provides fun days, year-round, to our children. We are
very fortunate to have so many wonderful advocates in Vero
Beach and Indian River County.”
Emotional support for the children is a priority all year, but
the staff and volunteers are especially mindful of their feelings
at Christmas.
Unfortunately, Lumenti notes, there are plenty of children
to be concerned about.
“There currently are more than 1,700 people in the community
who cannot afford safe and adequate shelter,” she says.
“Of those, over 450 are children. Given the current economic
conditions, we fear that number will steadily grow.”
HFC’s mission is “to provide opportunities for homeless
families to end homelessness by achieving self-sufficiency
through education, living wages and permanent housing.”
The center offers emergency and transitional shelter for
homeless families on the Treasure Coast and in Okeechobee
County. Adult members of the families must find jobs
within two weeks of their arrival and save 75 percent of
their income.
“We are more than just a roof overhead as we partner with
a dedicated group of individuals to provide services for our
clients such as children’s programs, employment training,
and mental health counseling,” Lumenti says. Earlier this
year, HFC received the United Way’s 2009 Agency Excellence
Award.
Elf Lumenti’s favorite part of the holidays at HFC: “The
children … their excitement as Christmas draws near, and
the kindness and generosity of those who make their Christmas
special.”
Marie Lumenti, Volunteer Coordinator
Call: 772.567.5537
E-mail: mlumenti_HFC@
bellsouth.net
Web site: www.homeless
familycenter.org
Elves
Elves
/bellsouth.net
/www.homeless
/familycenter.org