The Caring Place: Miami Rescue Mission/Broward Outreach Centers, conducted its annual “Christmas in July” celebration for homeless and hungry families of South Florida.
This outreach, themed “Restoring Independence,” provided much-needed meals and services to nearly 2,000 South Florida homeless men, women, and children.
The annual outreach included free Mission Hope hygiene bags, free clothing, a barbecue meal and more. The featured attraction at the event was the annual career/resource fair. Career Source of South Florida mobile unit provided its traveling bus to allow those needing computer accesses on the Miami Campus. Goodwill of South Florida, Kelly Services Staffing Agency, Career Source Veteran Outreach, Student Finance League, Lindsey Hopkins Institute, Legal Services of Greater Miami, FedEx Ground, Miami-Dade Office of the State Attorney, Office of U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, The Hospitality Institute, Transitions INC., Florida Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, and United States Armed Forces were in attendance as part of the Career Fair.
The Miami outreach featured their career fair for inside and outside guests between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Center for Men Annex Building. Agencies such as Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence and Legal Services of Greater Miami, lent their support to engage the homeless men and women in opportunities for independence through jobs and social service referrals.
Music was provided by the K-LOVE van, which also gave guests a little gift for attending the first step to regaining independence.
Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. residents ate inside the dining area, where Meals A Month Volunteers served hotdogs and hamburgers. Between 3 and 6 p.m. a barbecue dinner was served by volunteers for outside guests. All guests received free hygiene bags and free clothing on their way out.
“Those who are in homeless situations living on the streets and those living in our program need to know that people still care,” said Miami Rescue Mission/Broward Outreach Centers president Ronald Brummitt. “There is hope for them and hope for a brighter future of independence and empowerment. The career/resource fair is a great way to reach those who need resources to help find independence. Many also decide to come off the streets and into one of our life-changing programs. We are grateful for our ‘giving partners’ that help us be able to create these special outreaches.”
For more information about the programs and services offered by the Miami Rescue Mission/Broward Outreach Centers, visit www.caringplace.org.
