1 person found this review helpful
MISSION IN CITRUS INC
Invite reviews
Invite friends and colleagues to share their experiences with this nonprofit
Featured Review
March 20, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
The homeless in rural Florida have proven what I believed in all along. That they could help each other without paid staff, when given the proper resources. Homeless veterans, men, women, and children have shown that they can take a hand up, instead of a handout, and get their lives back in order. In less than three years there were five shelters; two for homeless Veterans.
We recently closed one shelter because the Mission in Citrus eliminated 75% of the homeless Veteran problem in Citrus County, and due to the slowdown in our present economy. Our shelters are geared to operate at the lowest cost, and to be moved or closed when necessary. They are located close to jobs and resources.
Close to 450 former residents still keep in contact with me through email, Facebook, or phone. I am so very proud of them, as their accomplishments are no less than a miracle. We are not faith based but live by faith. No one is forced to go to church, but over 90% attend services each week at the church of their choice. Our saying is that God runs things around here. And He does. Miracle after miracle has occurred during the past four years. A Good Samaritan to all in need. We are struggling now, as we have been denied funding because we do not have anyone who can write grants properly. But we are working on that. And all of the praise, glory, and honor, we give to God for all His blessings.
Over two thousand people were helped back into society since 2009, by using fewer dollars and more sense. Their success record is 80%, which is much higher than the national average. There are no security cameras or locked doors. Our foundation is based on that no one should lose their freedoms that so many Veterans have died for, unless they are a criminal. Since February 1st 2013, over 42 people moved into homes with jobs. That may seem small to many, but it was over 50% of our residents living at our shelters. Fourteen were children. Five were entire families.
Our 1st Veteran's shelter was opened on less than $5000, and a lot of faith. It is now approaching its fourth year of operation. Veterans have returned to society into their own homes after receiving their much deserved benefits. Similar shelters were built using millions. Formerly homeless Veterans run the shelter, after being helped themselves. All give a volunteer commitment. Fund raising is now in progress to increase their capacity. Our second shelter was designed after the John Wayne-type outposts in the old west. In rural areas, the homeless have to walk between 12-50 miles for help and services. The outpost provided meals, shelter, laundry, showers, and much more. It served many Veterans living in the woods and swamps, and those traveling around the country. The model was highly successful, before it’s closing due to lack of funds... Our next project is a mobile command center called Angels on Wheels. It will be able to help Veterans in any area with full service. The mobile vehicle will enable the Mission in Citrus to reach out to many Veterans, who are currently receiving little to no help.
“If we do not help them, who will?”
The Mission in Citrus Homeless Shelters were founded in 2008, after the Executive Director “I “became homeless. My research and personal experience showed that traditional shelters were not working, and too much of their budgets were spent on administration expenses, and not on the residents. Too many criminalized homelessness. Most of the homeless are not criminals; they just need the resources to get their lives back in order. A hand up, not a hand out. The focus is on jobs, and our Hire the Homeless program has been highly successful. The residents also help operate the shelter by paying for their upkeep with donations, once they find employment or receive disability. They volunteer thousands of hours to Habitat for Humanity, area food banks, Sertoma Club, Lion's Club, and many other nonprofits. No one is allowed to sit around. All earn their keep.
We have overcome many obstacles in the past four years, from 60 tents to 5 shelters. We had major fights with everyone from the Fire Marshal, Sheriff’s Dept., and many other agencies, including County Commissioners. We now have positive working relationships with all of them. We have earned their respect. We still have a long way to go.
Grant writing is hard because there is little time after helping so many people each day. We beg for 80% of our operating funds using collections sites, such as Wal-Mart, and County flea markets. Over 1000 people were helped last year with $120,000. The Mission in Citrus continues to fight for homeless rights. Our emails are sent to numerous government officials each day. Homelessness can decrease through more accountability of dollars. One shelter gets Federal funds, while operating at an annual cost of $38,000 a bed. It is cheaper to go to Harvard.
Our residents age from four days old to 72 years old. The new face of homelessness has become many homeless women and children. We are expecting two new babies in the next month. The days of the old homeless stereotype are over. The present economy is taking no prisoners.
Our long term goals are to share our system with others, and to increase our homeless Veterans beds by 150 by buying a motel. We soon hope to start a successful in-house drug and alcohol treatment shelter. The Mission in Citrus could easily become a movie as so many miracles have occurred there. When I turned 51 last year, over 200 former residents visited, Face booked, emailed, or called. That does not happen at normal shelters.
They take great pride as they have become a family, and lift each other up. We have two quotes. “If we do not help them…Who will? “And “We follow the parable of the good Samaritan.” We help all in need. In our history, we have never failed to feed and help anyone who has entered our gates. We even take food and water into the woods and swamps for many hard core Veterans, who have lost faith in society.
About The Mission in Citrus
Our Mission is to help all in need to the best of our ability. We follow the parable of the Good Samaritan, as there are no requirements for our services. We constantly reinvent the wheel to make it all work. The faces of homelessness can change as well as each individual’s circumstances. And there have been very few that we have not been able to help. Veterans have become our priority as we have seen their suffering the most.
To all the past and present residents of the Mission in Citrus. I am so very proud of you. You made it work. God gave us the direction and help through many. God bless you all and much Love to all of you
James M Sleighter – Founder and Executive Director of the Mission in Citrus
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
April 15, 2013
well my name is julie m garcia im am 22yrs old i have 3 kids two boys and one girl..the oldest name is clint c. canady,hunter e. canady,and lillie m. canady...they are 3,2,and 5months.......um i was in a dv with my husband and we moved from colorado i was born here in key west florida with my mom. i lived with my grandmother for 1 and a half yrs when my mom went to colorado in 2000 i moved there in 2002 when i was 12....ummm i moved there then meet clint my husband we grow up together he left came back then thats when we got together...we got married in dec. 31, 2011 but we where toghether for a long time before that.....well the whole week i have been here the ladies here have been wonderful helping me talking to me asking me if i need any help with my 3 children jim is wonderful he helps all of us in any way he can and the mission in citrus is the best place i've seen here in the whole 2 and a half weeks i've been less fortunate then most people......so thank you everybody here at the mission in citrus for your hospitality i really do thank you ladies and jim for being so helpful and just for being here for me when im in a delema..
sincerly
julie marie garcia
and kids
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
April 9, 2013
on march 11th 2013 was my 3 year mark of being with the mission in citrus. starting out as a lost person to becoming the person i am today. if it wasn't for the mission and everyone here my family and i would not be together n i know i would not be alive this day. i am now 3 years suicide free and still help those who are in the same position i once was in. i have a family that is not blood but are all sisters and brothers who are here for each other no matter what. yes no one is perfect and we all make mistakes but the mission family does not desert when mistakes are made!!! that's why i truly can say Thank you so much Jim and the mission!!!! i love you all!!!!
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
April 8, 2013
M'y family and i lived at the mission for 10 months , in that Time WE were treated good and helped alot! WE volunteered at évents through the mission and had fun too!!! WE also Made lots of friends !!! Its the best !!! The mission helps everybody !! Nô matter what !!
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
July 17, 2012
M'y family and i lived at the mission for 10 monts before getting a place . They were Nice and helped us Get on our feet . I recommend this place to anyone .
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Quite well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
March 6, 2013
I heard about the place from a friend of mine and looked it up on the internet website. When i got here, I was welcomed with open arms. I have only been here 2 1/2 days but it feels like I've been here longer because of the environment and the people are marvelous. It seems like home.
I thought the dog here was vicious when I first saw him, but now I'm going to miss him. His name is Mission.
Jim, the diirector, is like a father figure. In fact, there are several women here who are like mothers: Sheila, Carol, Catherine, Kit-Kat (tell her to lay off the sugar) and Jane. you all will be truly missed.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
March 4, 2013
I am responding in regards to what hillb6 wrote about the Mission, its directors, and the clients that are here. You say that he has taken money from a client and her son and left them stranded there. Well I have news for you, I was the client that DONATED the money out of my VA settlement out of the goodness of my heart for being allowed to stay here for over a year so that I could get the help to get my VA disability. And I was not left stranded here, I chose to stay on and help others since it is my way of saying thank you to Jim and the other directors here who have helped both me and my son. If it wasnt for me and my son coming to the Mission, I wouldnt have a child who has done a complete 360 in his behavior not to mention his grades at school. My son has accomplished something that I never had the chance to do and he has been getting straight As all year long. You have no one to blame for the treatment that you received but yourself. Jim had taken you back numerous times out of the goodness of his heart but like he always says you cant help the ones who dont want the help. Just because you had a bad experience doesnt mean that the rest of us have. As for women going in and out of Jim's office all hours of the night is not true. Dont say things when you dont have the evidence to back your accusations up. The Mission is mine and my son's home since no one else has been there to take us in and help us like Jim has. I am proud to be a client and a FAMILY MEMBER of the Mission Family!!!!!!!!!!!
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
June 27, 2012
My name is Marilyn and the Mission In Citrus has been helping me get my VA Disability benefits since I am a US Navy Vet... I have been fighting for the last 12 years to get my benefits and now if it wasnt for the Jim and the Mission In Citrus I wouldnt be moving ahead like I am with it. I am so grateful for him helping me with it all that I would be lost and still fighting for what I rightfully deserve with serving my country. I just want to say thank you to him for everything that he has done for me and my son.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
December 17, 2011
My name is Marilyn Schoefer and I am a single mother to a wonderful 13 year old son. We are currently living at the Mission in Citrus. The Mission has helped the both of us out tremendously. I have just started working at Days Inn here in Crystal River a couple of days ago. If it wasn't for Jim Sleighter and the Mission in Citrus, I would have ended up on the streets of Citrus County. I am also a Navy Veteran. The Mission is helping me get my benefits from the Veteran's Affairs office since no one else would help me get them. All I have to say is the Mission in Citrus has been a very good experience for both me and my son. I wouldn't go anywhere else except for the Mission in Citrus since they help everyone who comes through their gates, whether they be young or old.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
March 1, 2013
This review is written in regard to the hillbilly who posted The Mission's director had a pot problem. First, you are an idiot; second, the director is Jim; third; the lady you referenced does not have a problem. If you are going to make accusations about us, The Mission (which I PROUDLY call my home), make sure you have something to back it up. Jim has been nothing short of a saint when it concerns you. He never had to take you back as many times as he did. You should be thanking him, not trying to smear his good name and the name of the Mission. You were dismissed from here for good reasons, and probably should have been sooner than it was. You were given chance after chance to prove yourself but never took any of them. You have burned every bridge you have crossed. Even the guys in the woods don't want you around, but we all know you can't survive out there anyway. You have no one to blame but yourself.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
January 23, 2013
I was homeless after I stayed with my sister for a month then I went to the mission in citrus . I have been homeless for over 4years due to the economy as well as family problems. My sister found the Mission in Citru Shelter so i would have a place to stay. Not only did the mission give me a place to stay,they helped me get food stamps. If not for Jim i would probably still be homeless.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Unsure
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Some
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
January 2, 2013
i myself think that the mission is a beautiful place and alot of help is givin everyday by people.The mission did alot for me and my family when we got here and espeacially jim (the director) and there are very nice people here always food to eat and something to do for us kids :).
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
January 2, 2013
the shelter has been helpful for providing a place to stay while getting reestablished in a new community.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Some
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Likely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Okay
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
Filter by reviewer role:
- Volunteer21
- Client Served98
- Expert2
- Public5
- Board Member6
- Donor3
- Advisor2
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews