COSAC HOMELESS ASSISTANCE CENTER

Causes: Homeless & Housing, Homeless Shelters

Mission: To provide the homeless population access to shelter, food, employment opportunities or referrals, as well as access to social services all toward the aim of enabling their return, if possible, to self-reliance. To accomplish this COSAC is the hub organization. We developed the Homeless Voice Newspaper, a COSAC funding tool, which has been responsible for employing homeless people and therefore giving them income to survive on the streets. Also, the “The Homeless Voice” is the means by which we advocate on behalf of the homeless population and to educate the public as to the true nature of homelessness and ways we can all work to eliminate the bias against this sector of our population and to help empower those affected by homelessness to regain or maintain their self-esteem and sense of self-worth during their transition through difficult times. The Homeless Voice became the official name of our homeless division, which operates four facilities in Broward County. We created the COSAC Quarters Hotel for the poor, a hotel with 21 rooms that serve the indigent or people with limited income. The clients receive three meals a day at Arnolds Café, named after the great homeless advocate Arnold Abbott. Another agency is the Day Labor Company, employees of which match an outside company labor request with a suitable shelter resident. Lastly, COSAC Foundation decided to become the South Florida County Food pantry. This service helps us provide food for those “nearly homeless” families.

Target demographics: The Homeless in South Florida.

Direct beneficiaries per year: thousands of homeless

Geographic areas served: In the administrative office at 1203 N Federal Highway or, and at our homes!

Programs: The Homeless Voice houses, feeds, and finds jobs for anyone who is homeless. We serve 500 homeless daily and serve over 45,000 meals each month. The Homeless Voice distributes a street newspaper in South Florida on street corners of Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach Counties. The Homeless Voice Newspaper has three functions. Educate the public on homelessness and poverty issues Provide temporary employment to those without a job Raise additional funds for the Hollywood, Florida based homeless shelter