Dwight Howard... Committed To Making A Difference
In February 2012, Orlando Magic superstar Dwight Howard and his D12 Foundation, reaffirming their commitment to making a difference in the lives of children throughout Central Florida, teamed up with more than 300 students, teachers and others for a public service announcement educating the community on child and family homelessness among children in Seminole County.
Dwight has been a tremendous advocate for children in need throughout Central Florida. He has really stepped up his game in Seminole County by working with our kids and showing he really cares about making a meaningful difference.
Nearly 2,000 children are homeless in Seminole County right now and that number is expected to increase. The government considers a family of four to be impoverished if they earn less than $22,000 a year. Based on that standard, the estimated poverty rate for children in the United States will soon hit 25 percent, which will be the largest generation to be raised in poverty since the Great Depression. Seminole County, Fla. and surrounding areas have been especially hit hard with an estimated 1,000 children recently losing their homes.
One of Pathways to Home (PTH) partners, Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) - Families in Transition (FIT), is critical to our “big picture” approach of ending child homelessness in Seminole County. The FIT goal is to identify and help homeless children in SCPS with educational and basic needs supports, ensuring that these students are immediately enrolled in school, have the opportunity to receive free breakfast and lunch daily, and provide reliable transportation to and from school. In addition, FIT social workers are dedicated to providing school supplies, clothing and access to school sports programs and clubs, as well as last-resort emergency assistance to prevent families from living on the streets. Thanks to a tremendous outpouring of support from the community, nearly 50 schools in Seminole County currently host food pantries, providing groceries so children won’t go hungry outside of school.
Ending The Cycle Of Child-Homelessness
PTH is a non-profit organization in Seminole County that is working to solve this tragic problem of child homelessness in Seminole County. PTH provides services based on each families unique set of circumstances. This can include assistance finding a job, stable housing, counseling, assistance in managing their finances, help with child care and transportation. PTH give families the tools to help themselves move out of their current situation of homelessness. PTH is a ‘hand up’ and not a ‘hand out.’
The PTH Collaborative of partners is pulling together in these hard times to service families. Become a hero like Dwight Howard and help the silent victims, the children, to have a better life. To combat child homeless in Seminole County we all must get involved if we are to, as Dwight Howard puts it “make a meaningful difference” in children’s lives. We are an important initiative working together in Seminole County. In just 18 months PTH stabilized nearly 300 children. With additional funding and the PTH streamline approach 300 can become 600 very quickly. Your donation could impact a child’s life forever. Please DONATE TODAY!
There are many challenges for PTH in order to help homeless families with children in Seminole County, Fla. Including long-term unrestricted funding, donations to address child-care needs, transportation, rent and utilities assistance, affordable housing, job training for higher paying jobs and offering shelters so that families can stay together.
Metzger Family Update
Horizon Media generously donated the cost of a rental home so that the Metzger family, featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes, would no longer have to live in their truck. The Metzger’s are also featured in the new FIT PSAs with Dwight Howard.
Our Focus ... families with children who are without permanent housing or are at risk of losing their housing.
Our Approach... assist families by drawing upon their strengths, experiences and knowledge to determine (together with case managers) what resources and support are needed.
Our Belief ... the best results come from an interactive process between committed families and coordinated agencies.
Our Goal ... self sufficient families in a stable home.
For more information please contact Debbie Leon, Development Director at 407-585-3087 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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