Birthday parties and children seem to go together naturally — but some children are in situations in which his or her birthday can be overlooked. That’s where Celebrate Birthdays, a nonprofit organization, comes in. It collaborates with organizations and agencies to find foster kids, other kids with certain needs or kids in clubs, to throw a birthday party for them. Belinda Leto and … [Read more...]
Neighbors object, but family housing OK’d
June 27, 2018 By
The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County can move forward with plans to temporarily house homeless families in a building at the former campus of the Boys & Girls Club in Port Richey. The coalition, with support from other social service agencies, also will open the Housing Services Center, which will administratively help families and individuals seeking permanent housing and other … [Read more...]
Review board recommends family homeless shelter
June 13, 2018 By
The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a program to temporarily house homeless families in a former Boys & Girls Club building. Planning commissioners reached that recommendation during a public hearing on June 6. The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County wants to operate the temporary shelter on Youth Lane in Port Richey. The coalition also wants to open … [Read more...]
Proposed homeless shelter for families stirs passions
May 23, 2018 By
Efforts to aid Pasco County’s homeless population are shifting from a homeless shelter for single adults to a shelter for families only. The goal is to place homeless families in permanent housing as soon as possible. That is a significant change from the initial focus one year ago on a “navigation center” with wraparound services for single men and women. The effort now has a new name, too. … [Read more...]
Homeless shelter to help families find housing
May 2, 2018 By
A “one-stop navigation center” for the homeless population in Pasco County will provide temporary shelter for families, instead of the initial plan to help single adult men and women. If opened, the center would be Pasco’s first homeless shelter. An estimated $100,000 annual cost for around-the-clock security at the facility and neighborhood opposition to the original plan prompted the shift … [Read more...]
Homeless Coalition CEO understands tough times
January 17, 2018 By
Don Anderson, the new chief executive officer for The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County, doesn’t have to look far to understand what it’s like to experience poverty. “I come from very humble beginnings. My dad didn’t finish eighth grade. My mom didn’t finish high school. He worked three jobs. “We had a hard time keeping a car going, let alone pay the rent every month. “I … [Read more...]
Navigation center gets funds; location upsets residents
August 30, 2017 By
Pasco County commissioners agreed to disperse federal funds for a navigation center that will work with the homeless population to find permanent housing, health care and jobs. About $250,000 will be used to remodel the former Boys & Girls Club buildings on Youth Lane in Port Richey. Approximately $70,000 will be used to hire a staff member, possibly a program specialist, for the homeless … [Read more...]
Dade City Youth Council wins statewide photo contest
August 9, 2017 By
Reyes Figueroa loves Dade City. And, he appreciates the east Pasco community’s acceptance in celebrating diverse cultures — particularly his Hispanic heritage. Last month, the 17-year-old Pasco High School junior and Dade City Youth Council delegate won first place in the Florida League of Cities’ (FLC) Youth Council Photography Contest. The winning photo, “Cinco De Mayo Parade,” was … [Read more...]
Opening doors of hope for the homeless
June 28, 2017 By
The Pasco County Commission has approved funding to renovate a former Boys & Girls Club, and reopen the campus as a navigation center for the county’s homeless population. An administrative building and a teen center, at 8239 Youth Lane in Port Richey, will be refurbished with about $600,000 in federal and state money. The goal is to open the navigation center by mid-2018. The center … [Read more...]
New center could help Pasco’s homeless
June 22, 2017 By
Pasco County wants to open the county’s first homeless shelter as part of a comprehensive plan to help an estimated 3,300 homeless people. There are about 100 camps across Pasco County where people live, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. The chosen location for what is proposed as a “one-stop navigation center” is in two county-owned buildings in west Pasco, formerly leased to … [Read more...]
