Changing Homelessness

We're closed in observance of Juneteenth!

We encourage everyone to check out what's happening in the city today and this weekend and get involved in the community. 🧡

We will be open for regular business hours on Monday, June 22.

ICYMI 👀

We're excited to share HUD’s release of the FY2026 Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

This week, we're hosting two (2) Zoom meetings for the Mandatory Bidder's Conferences. You only need to attend one of the meetings, if you plan to apply.

We encourage all nonprofits and faith-based organizations to review the NOFO and consider submitting an application. Please submit any questions, or if you'd like to register for the Bidder's Conferences, to [email protected] 😊

The NOFO can be viewed on our website or at the link in our bio!

"Food costs and housing costs have continued to go up at a pace that's much faster than incomes," said Gilman. "So, even though many of our folks are working, often working full-time, they don't command the salary that allows them to afford transportation, food, medical care, and housing."

Northeast Florida homelessness rises from 2025 to 2026 in Point-In-Time count New data shows 14% increase from last year, while advocates report more working families and seniors struggling to afford housing

Join us at the General Membership Meeting‼️

This month's meeting will primarily focus on giving an introduction to the FY2026 HUD CoC and YHDP NOFO that released last week. There will also be a brief chat about the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) if time allows!

⌚- 9:00AM
📅- Thursday, June 11th
📍- Virtual on Zoom

If you plan on attending this introductory session, please send an email to [email protected] to reserve your Zoom spot. 😊

Monday, May 25 is Memorial Day in the United States, and it is incredibly important to remember exactly what this day represents.

The day formally and federally marks a day of reflection and observance, honoring all the servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the United States of America. Those sacrifices have guaranteed 250 years of continued life, liberty, and our ongoing pursuit of happiness.

Since our Nation's founding, over 1 million service members have died in combat and non-combat situations, including servicemembers lost in both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, as well as those we lost in non-combat accidents and to su***de. It is because of these individuals' sacrifice and selflessness that our way of life persists, not just at home but around the world.

The National Moment of Remembrance occurs every Memorial Day at 3pm local time where Americans are encouraged to pause and reflect for one full minute on this individual and collective loss.

At Changing Homelessness, our Veteran Program served more than 1,200 veterans and helped house 473 veterans in 2025.

For more information on the history of Memorial Day, please see the National Cemetery Administration website. It offers a detailed evolution of how informally honoring servicemembers transitioned into a national tradition.

The Wounded Warrior Project also provides a helpful guide to mark this occasion beyond the community-based events.

Please check your local news sites and community event pages to see what's happening around your area for Memorial Day!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Housing is Hope 🧡

We’re so grateful to everyone who spent their morning with us and helped make this year’s event so special. Seeing community members, volunteers, partners, advocates, and supporters all in one room was a reminder that real change happens when people come together.

A huge congratulations to this year’s award recipients, and thank you to our incredible volunteers who continue to stand beside us in the mission to end homelessness.

We also want to give a special thank you to our sponsors, , First Horizon Bank, BVI, and community partners, Florida Blue and First Coast News, whose generosity and belief in this work helped make Housing is Hope possible. And to our panelists, Drew Schrimsher, Whitney Meyer, Pastor Joe Williams, and Tony Jenkins -- your support allows us to continue creating spaces for conversation, collaboration, and action in our community.

This is just the beginning. From volunteer opportunities and community events to advocacy efforts and special campaigns, there are so many ways to stay connected and continue making an impact with us.

Be sure to follow us here on social media, check your inbox for updates, and visit our website to stay involved.

Thank you again for being part of Housing is Hope! 🏡✨

📸: https://dreams2reality.passgallery.com/-housingishope/gallery

In May we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. During this healing-centered session led by Nigeria McHellon of New Perspectives Therapeutic Services, participants will be able to:

• list the different types of rest;
• distinguish between self-care and communal care; and
• describe strategies for well-being, thriving, and resilience.

📧 To register for this free virtual event, email [email protected] or call 904-402-4684 and you will receive the Zoom link to join.

We're moving back to virtual! 😊

Since our meeting host is doing some renovations and we're entering Summer break season, we thought it best to meet up virtually for a few months.

Check your inbox for the Zoom invite -- if you didn't get something from us, please shoot us a message and we'll help get you in!

Thank you for your continued partnership, commitment, and willingness to help build thoughtful, effective solutions for our region.

We look forward to seeing on Zoom tomorrow. ☀️

We 💙 the Jags!

Last week, members and staff of the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation stopped by to help stuff 300 hygiene + wellness kits. These go directly into the hands of our unhoused neighbors during outreach efforts and events that our team conducts.

Everyone had a blast and we are so thankful for the volunteers who came by to help make an impact on our unhoused community.

Can't wait for next time 😉 And GO JAGS!

Get back in the garden with Center of Hope! 🪴 Learn about Weather-Ready Gardening and plant seeds of success with your neighbors and family this Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. to noon. Enter raffles, connect with the community, and get down to earth! 💚 For more info on this and other events, call 904-265-6787 or go to CenterOfHopeFL.org.

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