At last Monday evening’s annual Night of Hope hosted by The Source at Northern Trust Bank, generous donors to the organization were thanked for opening their wallets and hearts to help the county’s neediest population – our local homeless citizens.
The event was the culmination of a fundraising push to support Source programs such as the Dining with Dignity ministry, which serves clients restaurant-style meals. Additionally, a new Safe Serve program focuses on educating and training clients in a 12-week class on personal hygiene, kitchen cleanliness and how to work in a commercial kitchen.
“Anyone can come to The Source and get a meal, use the showers or use our laundry facilities without any charge,” said board member Jan Lauffer. “But our Safe Serve program is about empowering them, and the way to get out of homelessness and being poor is to get a job. We have clients who work at many of the restaurants around town now.”
Businessman and philanthropist George Shinn was asked to speak because of his dedicated support of The Source from the first moment he arrived in Vero Beach. His initial effort was to get the air conditioning functioning once again at the complex, and later he assisted individuals directly who needed the support of his Foundation.
When a single mother was going through an exceptionally difficult time, Shinn donated enough money to provide three months’ rent and clothes for job searches, and led her to a position at the Lemon Tree, which he co-owned. The security of knowing her family was safe and that she was dressed professionally for an interview at the beachside eatery fueled her confidence; enough that she could earn the position on her own merit.
“We need people to not only donate funds but also who encourage our people to know that they are all the way supported,” said Executive Director Robin Diaz.
Shinn’s choice to support The Source was an easy one for him, sharing that he also had to struggle and work hard to make ends meet after his father died when he was just 8 years old.
Mike Lyster and Susan Chenault cook meals at St. Mark’s Anglican Church which are served at The Source, feeding between 50 and 100 people on the third Friday of every month, and say it reminds them of just what they have in their lives.
“I never know if the numbers going up or down are a good or bad thing since I know we are not ending the homeless problem yet, but they are all so grateful for what help we can give,” said Chenault. “It reminds me to be grateful, too.”
“The overall well-being to help somebody that is really thankful for getting that help just gives you a nice warm, fuzzy feeling,” said Lyster. “It also makes me and my children feel gratitude for what we have. They can see that things are tough for some and so it is a good thing that we can help.”
