In 2023, the City Council of Woonsocket, Rhode Island (RI), agreed to purchase a Dignity Bus from The Source in Vero Beach as a creative way to give overnight shelter to the homeless in their own community. They intended that the 20-bed overnight shelter would house more than half of the homeless population that was currently on the streets of their community. The 45-foot motor coach was converted into a custom-made climate-controlled interior, providing individual sleeping pods with privacy curtains, a USB port, an individual light, a lockable door, a private bathroom facility, under-bus storage, pet pods for companion animals, monitored CCTV surveillance and for the colder climate in RI, an electric fireplace was added by the entrance to the bus for extra heating as passengers enter the vehicle.
Following a farewell celebration and receiving a Proclamation from The City of Vero Beach for The Source’s innovative directions in helping the homeless in their own back yard, The Source, the Bus and the “Bus Builders” embarked on the over 1,300 mile journey to Woonsocket, RI to deliver the bus and continue building relationships with the individuals who were operating the daily needs of the vehicle in their community.
In January, 2025, at the request of Woonsocket, RI, the “Bus Builders” returned to assist them with various bus maintenance issues, for a vehicle they consider to be a vital resource for their homeless and needy population. And on March 17, 2025 the same dedicated group, were invited back to Woonsocket, RI to receive a Proclamation from their Mayor Christopher Beauchamp, representing the City, in thanks to them for their responsible care of their cherished Dignity Bus.
The Proclamation recognized the Vero Beach men for their return to RI to provide expert maintenance without compensation of their time, travel expenses or any cost to the city during their stay in the cold of January. The Woonsocket Council commended them with heartfelt gratitude for their extraordinary generosity, dedication and hard work, resolving issues that allowed the homeless to continue sleeping on the bus without interruption of the services offered, especially during the poor weather conditions that were occurring at that time.
The Source is operating three Dignity Buses in Vero Beach, one in the outskirts of Chicago, and two more are currently being prepared for The City of Orlando, FL. They are contacted from cities country-wide who are interested in the concept of Dignity Bus as a way to combat the widespread global housing shortage. The Source is not only about producing and selling buses. They are dedicated at working with cities and non-profits whose goals are to end homelessness in their individual community.
I am Ministries, DBA The Source is a Christian social outreach ministry that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service for the homeless since 1995. Founded in Indian River County, the organization serves its homeless neighbors through a myriad of core programs and services that instill a sense of community. For more information on The Source and Dignity Bus, contact Executive Director Anthony Zorbaugh or Development Director Jonathan Orozco at 772-564-0202, or visit www.iamthesource.org .
