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Since the economic downturn, the number of homeless families and individuals in Volusia and Flagler Counties has dramatically increased and resources have become more limited. There is a great need for coordination of housing and services, and your membership is more important than ever!

The Coalition, as the designated strategic planning and data-collection agency provides tools that help social service organizations, local governments, faith community, and individuals use resources more efficiently when serving the homeless.

In 2011, the Coalition began the process of revising the Strategic Plan to End Homelessness in Volusia and Flagler Counties to address the most pressing needs of our communities.

• A vote on Coalition initiatives.
• Access to member
• 
  s-only section of the website.
• Invitations to Coalition functions and events.
• Newsletter subscription.

If you are already a member of the Coalition, we thank you for your support.

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For 24 hours, from noon on January 29 to noon on January 30, 2013, the Coalition will conduct its annual Point-in-Time Count of the homeless in Volusia and Flagler Counties.

 The Point-in-Time Count is a 24-hour snapshot count of the number of families and individuals living on the street, in cars, or sleeping in places not ordinarily meant to accommodate human beings. The count also includes the numbers of families and individuals living in emergency shelter or transitional housing.

Dozens of trained volunteers and law enforcement personnel visit parks, bridges, homeless encampments, day labor organizations, libraries and other locations to visually count and document people experiencing homelessness.

When possible, volunteers administer a survey to homeless individuals gathering demographic and situational information. The survey data is compiled and used by the community and service agencies to plan housing and services delivery and seek needed.

Point-in-Time Count volunteers and staff make special efforts to identify veterans and vulnerable populations (the disabled, children and youth, etc.) and provide resource information and assistance.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Carol Haase (chaase@vfcch.org).

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IDignity DeLand is a program of the Volusia-Flagler County Coalition for the Homeless and a franchise of the parent program, IDignity Orlando (www.idignity.org).

IDignity DeLand restores dignity and hope by providing identification. Through collaboration with government agencies, churches and community, IDignity assists the poor in navigating the complexities of obtaining legal identification documents including birth certificates, state ID and social security cards — all essential to accessing education, employment, healthcare, housing and benefits.

Three times during the year a volunteer corps of 80-90 people and staff from the Volusia-Flagler County Coalition for the Homeless conduct events open to the public providing comprehensive assistance in obtaining identification. The IDignity team consists of representatives from the Florida Division of Drivers License, County Health Department, SSA, IRS, VA, local attorneys who provide legal review and representation, staff from many agencies including Center for Business Excellence, United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, Goodwill Industries, Neighborhood Center, House Next Door, and volunteers from many churches in DeLand. These groups come together in one location on one day to assist approximately 150 people take steps necessary to obtain identification. Coalition staff support the program between events.

IDignity DeLand is funded entirely by donations and pays almost no administrative costs. Funds are expended for the costs of holding the events and obtaining identification for the clients. IDignity DeLand has raised over $25,000.00 to date.

Support IDignity DeLand today with your donation.