An exuberant crowd filled the room at Northern Trust Bank with love, hope and support for those less fortunate at the annual Night of Hope hosted by The Source. Guests indulged in cocktails and hors d’oeuvres proudly served by students and graduates of the nonprofit’s new Dining with Dignity Training program. They were even treated to a sampling of the multiple-award-winning chili that program participants had served up at two Chili Cook-off competitions.

The Source, “the trusted symbol of hope for the poor and homeless,” was established in 1995 and now serves nearly 100 homeless clients daily, providing hot meals, clothing, hygiene products, shower facilities, laundry, mail and phone service, job readiness and referral programs, human services and Christ-centered recovery programs. The Source is the only homeless drop-in center in Indian River County.

Anthony Zorbaugh, executive director, proudly announced new partnerships with the Gifford Youth Orchestra, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and Crossover Mission to provide meals to at-risk children.

“Our operating budget has been reduced from $1.2 million to $565,000, all while providing more services” he explained. “We have the first art therapy and culinary training programs for the homeless in Indian River County. We have Alcoholics Anonymous every Friday for those that are recovering, and we are the only cold night shelter in the county.”

Dining with Dignity, a three-month program under the guidance of kitchen manager Joe Wisor, is transforming lives through culinary training and basic food service industry skills.

“We work with adults willing to turn their lives around” said Wisor. “They must qualify for 12 weeks of classroom and hands-on training, and commit to one week of volunteer service. They are rewarded with a weekly stipend, a graduation bonus and job placement upon completion.”

“I joined the Dining with Dignity program and it changed my life,” said Nikki Cameron, a 23-year-old single mother, once homeless and unemployed. “As a graduate I was able to find employment and housing. I am so thankful for the counseling and training that I received.”

The evening ended with an uplifting message from a young woman who was so moved by last year’s Night of Hope and a $10,000 gift made by one of the supporters that she knew she had to do the same; contributing an equal amount.

“Jesus led me to The Source and my life was forever changed,” she said, noting that its mission is simple, “To see the worth of all people and treat them with Christ-like love and human dignity, no matter what their condition.”

Article: Kerry Firth, Correspondent