During a Special Presentation at the November City Council Meeting, Councilman Jon Burgess acknowledged the Chapman Partnership for their 17 years of devoted service to the homeless population of Miami-Dade County. Since 1996, the Chapman Partnership has steadfastly provided otherwise impossible to access services to the homeless in Dade County by offering a comprehensive support program that includes emergency housing, meals, health and dental care, psychiatric care and job placement services. Homestead is one of two cities in South Florida where they are currently located as they continue to serve as a nationally recognized model for their unique approach towards combating homelessness.
Councilman Burgess, a long-time advocate of the work of the Chapman Partnership, offered a personal take on the proceedings. “As we approach the holidays, there are a lot of people less fortunate that struggle to meet even the most basic needs. My wife and I have reached out to the Chapman Partnership as we’ve done over the years and we have offered our help to one of the families that was housed in this organization. I would like to encourage our residents to consider lending a helping hand to those who are in real need and reach out to the Chapman Partnership to help in any way they can.”
Sharon Haxton, Community Liason for the Chapman Partnership, who was awarded a certificate of appreciation at the City Council meeting, explained that “once the family or individual is prepared to leave the facility, we insure their success by providing a ‘follow-up family,’ like Councilman Burgess’ family, which offers an additional year of care, this helps ensure the Chapman Partnership’s 63% success rate in moving the homeless back to self-sufficiency.”
For more information on how to become a ‘follow-up’ family, to volunteer or donate to the Champman Partnership visit http://www.chapmanpartnership.org/ or call 877-548-2056.