The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on the lives of Americans. Over 1.1 million people died in the United States from COVID-19, and it devastated the US economy for months. But through the concerted efforts of elected officials, healthcare workers, and many other Americans, the pandemic was finally brought under control.
Homelessness is the next epidemic the US must face in the coming years.
Last summer, at an Apopka City Council meeting, Matthew's Hope Ministries reported more than 450 homeless individuals from Apopka are currently using their services. City officials were confronted by homeless individuals, community leaders, and non-profit organizations looking to find answers to the growing homelessness affecting Apopka.
To date, the City has not responded to the homelessness issue in any significant way.
In this 4-part series, The Apopka Voice examines homelessness nationwide and locally with the goal of narrowing the focus and shedding light on what can benefit the homeless population for the trauma they face every day and to eradicate homelessness locally.
Yes, it's a lofty goal, but one that needs to be undertaken.
Throughout this series, we met with individuals who tackle the situation head-on every day. What choices do people face when they become homeless? Why do they remain homeless? What limits are there for those who offer help and outreach?
This exploration is intended to gain much-needed insight into what Apopka faces in the fight against homelessness now and in the future.
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Job loss, health crisis, rent gouging, and the death of a spouse are among the top reasons people and families find themselves homeless. Fate follows each of us like a shadow sewn to our heels, and the choices left after experiencing a tragedy are something that we tackle both individually and culturally. Yet when disaster strikes, some individuals are navigating these moments alone. The response to trauma sets the stage for healing.
How does a faith-based community address homelessness? Where do people go when they need help? Do they rely on faith-based organizations? How is this working for Apopkans? Who are the helpers?
Apopka has a mixture of faith-based ministries and good Samaritans who are meeting the needs of homeless people, but these efforts are insufficient and inconsistent with what homeless individuals need.
According to its website, Matthew’s Hope Ministries began as a response to inclement weather in 2010, when the temperature dipped below 39 degrees. The dangerous weather prompted founder Pastor Scott Billue and a few friends to ask churches in the area to house the homeless population who stayed outside temporarily. Although many turned him away, the West Orange Church of Christ eagerly agreed and, over the course of several weeks, allowed people in this community to sleep, eat and stay warm inside their building, sometimes for days at a time.
Volunteers in the community heard about the freeze warning ministry and stepped up to help clean bathrooms and feed the people. As the temperatures warmed, Billue and others could not just walk away from the obvious, ongoing needs of the homeless community of West Orange County.
Together, Matthew’s Hope Ministries was created.
Although it's a Winter Garden-based non-profit, Mattew's Hope finds itself on the frontlines of the Apopka homeless issue every day.
"We never shut down. When everyone else was shuttered during the pandemic, we stayed open," said Billue. He also says his client services have increased by 500% since COVID-19 began, and he recalls early in the pandemic, their Winter Garden facility saw a 300% increase, with over 40% of those clients registering from the Apopka area alone. Since they serve several communities in the tri-county area, Billue is astounded that Apopka is requiring most of the services they provide, and he sees no clear way out of this climb.
"We have literally put a strain on this ministry that I never anticipated, taking on Apopka. We have always served Apopka, but never how we did the pandemic going forward. During the pandemic, we saw a lot of non-profits throughout the community shut down. Transportation became very difficult. A lot of things changed. We never shut down, and we created more and more transportation. We have bus routes to go into the community and pick people up."
Billue and his team share the mission of moving people "towards a life of independence." His clients are given an opportunity to work through difficult times, earning validation and accountability along the way. They do not give out, nor do their clients want handouts. At Matthew's Hope, clients are truly given hope for a way out of today's struggles. Billue is versed at asking them, "What can I help you with today?" Upon arrival at the Winter Garden facility, you can expect a host of people willing and able to transition clients away from yesterday, bridging them to their tomorrow.
According to its Facebook page, H.O.P.E of Apopka is a 501(c)3 organization that provides vital services to needy families and people. Kelly Eichner of Apopka is its founder.
Eichner started this journey in 2018 when her husband suffered a severe health issue, leaving her job to take care of his needs. Throughout this time and being on the verge of homelessness herself, she experienced exactly what people are up against, both systemically and emotionally. Her experiences in helping her husband heal revealed many opportunities, which compelled her to give back to the Apopka community, no questions asked.
Eichner's efforts ramped up during the pandemic, putting the needs of others above her own, and it was this effort that helped keep them safe from spreading illness.
"During the pandemic, all food pantries were closed," she said. "Loaves and Fishes would call me and have me pick up their pastries and stuff. Other than that, we would buy food for them so we can make sure they would get food rather than dig from the dumpster."
Now, every Sunday after working her full-time job, Eichner races home to cook meals and prepare for the trip to Kit Land Nelson Park. She provides a variety of foods (dessert included) and has learned to adjust her meals for vegetarians as well. Two pop-up folding tables are set up with homecooked food, utensils, and to-go boxes, and her volunteers are gloved for serving the food. Through this opportunity, she has garnered supportive partners from local churches to help bring food and assorted needs (clothes, shoes, blankets, hygiene products, toiletries, etc.) and offers them freely as individuals approach.
Eichner recognizes almost everyone by name, as well as noticing when newcomers arrive, and is eager to give out hugs, fulfilling the social closeness that homeless people so rarely receive. This is more than just a calling for her. Eichner has been helping homeless people faithfully as a good Samaritan since 2018 but is concerned that it is not enough.
Being up close to those in need has provided her with much insight into problems for Apopka, and she agrees with Scott - Apopka has a housing problem.
In part three of this series, The Apopka Voice talks to the leaders and elected officials who will ultimately be charged with dealing with homelessness either now or in the immediate future. Do they have a plan? Are they looking for county, state, or federal help?
For Part One, go here.
Alisha Garner's background is in healthcare as a grant management associate. She is a recent graduate from the Burnett Honors College at UCF with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Conflict Resolution. Prior to healthcare, she was in golf management as a certified PGA/LPGA professional, most notably serving at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club in Orlando, as well as Walt Disney World’s 99 Holes of Golf. Driven by a relentless pursuit of balance, she enjoys finding the sweet spot where business efficiency, thriving social relationships, and good old-fashioned human interaction harmoniously co-exist.
