The Source in Vero Beach, under the leadership of Executive Director Anthony Zorbaugh along with local community supporters and donors, officially announces that the doors to the “new” Dignity Bus are now open every night to 20 needy people living on the streets of Indian River County in need of a good night’s sleep.
“It’s been a long ride getting here,” states Zorbaugh, “but our hearts and hard work led us to this point, and now we can share this finished product with those that need it the most.”
The community will get a first look at the 45 foot emergency shelter on wheels when the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with The Source, hold a Ribbon Cutting at the Community Awareness event being held on Wednesday, March 17. The event will be held with plenty of social distancing at The Horse Farm at Mr. Bobby Lindsey’s Home, 6585 12th Street (On the Corner of 12th Street and 66th Avenue), Vero Beach from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Attendees will also hear speeches, share in a prayer for the Dignity Bus, enjoy complimentary refreshments from Dignity Catering, have a tour of the Dignity Bus, watch a special pre-produced video and be introduced to the “Adopt A Pod” Campaign.
The Source had one simple focus in creating the Dignity Bus; to provide a safe, temporary overnight accommodation for those sleeping rough in Indian River County. The aim is to get people off the street and keep them safe and healthy until they can get back on their feet.
Dignity Bus, the first and only one of its kind for the homeless in the country, boasts a custom-made interior and exterior, provides 20 secure, climate-controlled individual sleep pods with a lockable door, under-bus storage, pet pods for companion animals, an onboard overnight security person, and monitored CCTV surveillance. Since this is the year of COVID, the Bus is equipped with an air-filtering system and all protocols possible for the safety of the guests are being implemented. One Dignity Bus provides 7,300 safe sleeps per year. Guests are asked to adhere to a few important guidelines in order to maintain the safety, security and comfort for everyone. Guests are allowed to enter the Bus on a first-come first-served basis.
Eric Flowers, Sheriff of Indian River County shares, “The Dignity Bus means so much to our community. We are proud to be able to partner with The Source in giving this much needed shelter to those who struggle. We are blessed that the Dignity Bus, as the first of its kind in the country, gives them the opportunity of having a safe place to sleep.”
The community is invited. Face masks are required, comfortable shoes are advised and RSVPs are encouraged by calling Anthony Zorbaugh at 772-564-0202 or emailing tony.zorbaugh@iamthesource.org.