Nobody ever plans to become homeless, but the truth is that any one of us could find ourselves in the situation, no matter how hard we work or how solid our upbringing. Despite being employed full time, sometimes even with a second job, the decrease in the availability of affordable housing throughout our region has made homelessness an issue for more families thank you might imagine. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of hope to help navigate the challenges and speed bumps of life. In Indian River County, some of that hope comes from the Hope for Families Center, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to help transition homeless families to sustainable permanent housing through providing safe shelter, healthy food, and supportive services. The Hope for Families (HFC) Center provides transitional shelter, nutritious food, and community resources for 21 families currently, and though the organization is in the process of expanding to accommodate more than double that number, there are 130 additional families on the waiting list. To help ensure that families in crisis are able to continue working, going to school, and working towards self-sufficiency, the October Dyer Difference Award recognizes and honors HFC and the hope it provides for every member of a family.
In St. Lucie County, the October Dyer Difference Award was presented to friends and family members of Demetrius Gollett and the Demetrius Gollett Burn Foundation created in his honor. Gollett, now a high school senior, was just eight when a house fire claimed the lives of his great grandparents who were his caregivers and left him severely burned. In the past ten years, this brave young man has endured more than 40 surgeries and has heroically worked to maintain a normal childhood. The Foundation created in his honor is designed to help support burn survivors and others who have faced trauma, starting with its namesake, Demetrius Gollett. Their upcoming fundraiser, Ladies in Red on Fire for the Lord is slated for December 8th at the Polish American Club in Port St. Lucie.
The Dyer Difference Award is all about celebrating the beauty and kindness in our midst. For the Dyer family and the members of the Dyer staff, the award and the $6,000 in donations made monthly between the St. Lucie and Indian River Counties are all about helping to make a positive difference in the community. For the recipients, it’s an acknowledgement of their tireless efforts to do the same and a much-needed financial boost to help further their missions. If you’d like to nominate a non-profit organization for the Dyer Difference Award, please visit www.dyerdifference.org or find Dyer Difference on Facebook.
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