AFVN Hands of Hope VISTA Comm. Relations & Dev. Coordinator

The goal of the project is to address barriers to self-sufficiency such as hunger and poverty in the four corners area of Florida by fostering growth of the HOHA economic opportunity and community service programs updating current programs, developing volunteer policies and procedures, identifying fund development opportunities, creating additional revenue sources while at the same time, increasing awareness of self-sufficiency programs and working towards expansion of the organization. The Community Health Assessments conducted in two of the four counties that make up the Four Corners area of Central Florida, there is a large population of residents that need social services and self-sufficiency programs but there is a severe shortage of support programs within a 25 mile radius of this demographic. With little to no access to public transportation, families must rely on the services that can be accessed closest to them. Through food distribution and case management, Hands of Hope meets families where they are, connects them to resources to move forward and walks along side them on the path to self-sufficiency. The population that receives services from HOHA are housed and homeless individuals, children, families, and veterans. Demographically the primary group HOHA serves is Hispanic (56%), with income levels between 10-25 K (42%). The other 44% are white (21%), African American (18%), Native American (2%), Asian (3%). HOHA serves clients from the broader Four Corners area, which is where Orange, Polk, Lake and Osceola counties come together in Central Florida. Currently HOHA works with 1500 families per month who access the food bank and case management services.