The Board of Directors of The Source, along with Anthony Zorbaugh, Executive Director and Maureen Archer, Assistant Executive Director of the non-profit organization have proudly announced the acquisition of the Pelican Island Cottages on 11330 U.S. Highway One in Sebastian, Fl, now named Dignity Village.
For a long time, The Source has been seeking land for Dignity Village, a self-contained community that would offer the opportunity for work, prayer, programs, dining and affordable housing for the poor and homeless in Indian River County. The opportunity of providing a community of affordable housing is now in their hands and The Source, along with a major donor, The Bernard Egan Foundation, is ready to make this long-time dream a soon-to-be reality.
According to Anthony Zorbaugh, “Once we discovered this beautiful parcel of land located minutes away from Sebastian’s Riverfront District (in between U.S. One and Indian River Drive), we knew this was meant to be our long-awaited Dignity Village. This is our first foray into affordable housing for those in our community in need of having a roof over their heads.”
Pelican Island Cottages was a former vacation resort, just under an acre of land with 15 one-bedroom and 4 two-bedroom efficiencies. The renovation of the property is now underway with a projection of full occupancy sometime in late spring. The individual air-conditioned units will be repainted indoors and outdoors, fully furnished with new furniture and appliances, towels and linens, well- equipped kitchenettes, flat screen TV’s and high-speed Wi-Fi. The units have either attached screened-in porches or outside patios, and a newly refurbished on-site laundry center has coin-operated washers and dryers. An air-conditioned multi-purpose Community Room on campus will also be refurbished offering space for resident programs, meetings, income producing jobs and socializing. A storage area on property will be suitably renovated for use as a chapel for the residents and another with coin operated vending machines filled with snacks and beverages. Encouraging a community feel, an outdoor kitchen, as well as an outdoor movie theatre, will be constructed and the entire area will be re-landscaped.
The Source began in 1995 originally serving the needy by offering free meals and Bible Study in a tiny 600 sq. ft. storefront in Osceola Plaza. The Source has since grown into a comprehensive assistance center, opening a 5,000 sq. ft. outreach facility on Commerce Avenue open seven days a week, addressing the complex needs of the poor and homeless in Indian River County. Their purpose is to offer life-changing possibilities to residents in crisis, offering critical care for physical, spiritual, civic, and social needs.
Zorbaugh has been with The Source for six years, initially as their Development Director and then, in short time promoted to Executive Director. He instituted using the facility as a cold night shelter with individuals sleeping on mats on the floor with blankets. Soon thereafter, he acquired cots with proper bedding to replace the mats. In March of 2021, The Source launched the Dignity Bus, the first overnight emergency shelter in the country retrofitted with 20 safe and secure sleeping pods complete with fresh linen daily. And now, one year later, Dignity Village will be filled with people finally having a place they can call home.
“I will admit that when we heard this property would become our long-awaited Dignity Village, it was hard not to cry from happiness,” said Zorbaugh. “Our current programs allow clients the opportunity to land a job and make a living. This will afford our clients the ability to rent a cottage and make it their own home. The Source gives options, alternatives, new ways of thinking, and helping people out of homelessness rather than perpetuating it. Dignity Village is a perfect example of what we strive to do.”
For more information on Dignity Village, contact Zorbaugh at 772-564-0202 or via email at tony.zorbaugh@iamthesource.org.
For more information: Beverly S. Paris, Paris Productions 772-234-4412.
