Opportunity Place Shelter for Homeless Women and Families

Mandatory Attendance for at least one session:

On Site:

Daily:

The Education Center provides computers and reference materials for residents and their children looking to learn new skills, apply for jobs and benefits, study for GED and other educational goals, and homework
The Children’s Services Coordinator provides daily structure and activities for children as they return from school and day care, including homework assistance, arts and crafts, outdoor games and sports, and learning to cook healthy snacks and simple meals. She also coordinates field trips, and confers with parents, school representatives and counselors to ensure best outcomes for homeless children.
Opportunity Place is a community partner with the Department of Children and Families and with Workforce Development Board, allowing residents on-site computer access to mainstream benefits, occupational training, and job placement.
Linkage with businesses giving priority for employment placement to Opportunity Place residents.
Affordable housing searches by licensed realtors and brokers.

Weekly:

Classes are offered each week in:

Parenting Skills
Budgeting
Money Mentor trained through the University of Florida Extension program, Okaloosa Saves, by client request
Coping with Trauma
Coping with Group Living
Domestic Violence

Monthly:

Visits by beauticians and cosmetologists to assist clients in achieving a job interview look”
Cookouts, picnics, field trips arranged by community partners
Visits by registered nurses for health assessments, nutrition and wellness guidance (more frequently when needed)

Quarterly:

Landlord/Tenant Law by North Florida Legal Services
Individualized Career Building: Analyzing skill sets, fashioning resumes, interview techniques

Off Site Resources:

JobsPlus: required of all residents for programs meeting their needs (job search; assistance with employment placement, attendance at classes in transition from welfare) Clients can link to benefits from the Department of Children and Families, Veterans’ Assistance programs, Okaloosa Walton Child Care Services; and emergency cash assistance.

Head Start: Child care offered to all residents with children ages six months to five years.

Department of Children and Families: Opportunity Place is a community access partner with DCF, and can assist clients in their applications for Medicaid, Food Stamps, children’s health insurance, and other benefit programs run through the state.

GED Preparation: Manager will assist clients in setting up initial GED assessment to determine placement in GED preparation program, and assign clients to appropriate GED classes depending upon testing outcomes. Clients scoring well may work on-line at the Jobs Center located at the Front Porch Office at 303 Lovejoy Road. Clients who have mastered GED material as demonstrated through unit completion will be partnered with Gulf Power or other program offering payment for GED testing. Clients passing two or more units will be given remedial assistance, and will qualify for a second round of free testing.

Okaloosa Applied Technology Center: Clients needing job retraining may be enrolled at OATC for short-term classes leading to certification in high-demand jobs.

Northwest Florida State College: Besides being a partner in the GED program, NFSC offers educational retraining programs, along with assistance in applying for Pell Grants and displaced worker programs.

Vocational Rehabilitation: Clients who have difficulty finding and maintaining employment due to disabling conditions are referred to Vocational Rehabilitation for retraining and intensive case management in finding employment.

Bridgeway Center, Inc.: Clients with mental health and substance abuse diagnoses are referred to Bridgeway Center for affordable psychiatric evaluation and counseling. Clients in compliance with medical protocols who exhibit stability may stay at the shelter. Clients who are not stable and could pose a risk to others at the shelter, particularly children, are referred to Bridgeway Center’s Independent Living Program for chronically homeless persons and families with mental and/or substance abuse disabilities.

Opportunity Health: A sliding fee-scale medical clinic operated by the Okaloosa County Health Department for the uninsured and indigent.

Opportunity Place Special Occasion Partnerships

Opportunity Place partners with many community churches and agencies for special occasions, including holiday dinners and events such as Valentine’s Day cookie making; Easter parties, baskets and egg rolls; summer bar-b-cues and outings to the beach, Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas services, parties, and gifts. Other special events have included:

Northwest Florida State College: The students enrolled in the RN to BSN program at the College of Nursing come to Opportunity Place each week for wellness assessments and health education tailored to resident needs.

Makeover Day: Professional hair stylists and beauticians came to Opportunity Place, and provided every woman and teen-age girl flattering and appropriate hair styles and make-up.

Okaloosa County School District: Tutors and mentors come to Opportunity Place a minimum of three times each week to assist students who have fallen behind in their school work due to homelessness, poverty or other factors.

Back to School events: Every school child gets a trip to a local store to buy clothes and shoes. Each child receives a back-pack filled with all the supplies required by his or her school for his or her grade.

Craft Days: Children are invited to participate in crafts organized by local Girl Scout troops or private individuals.

Christmas Shopping: Each child is taken out to buy presents for immediate family members, and one present for himself or herself.

Moving Out and Up: Due to the overwhelming generosity of many, most families transitioning out of Opportunity Place are provided essential furniture and home supplies. Many of the benefits extended to Opportunity Place residents are also extended to families who have transitioned out of the shelter, and may need some assistance in maintaining self-sufficiency.

Flu Shots: Clients may receive flu vaccinations each fall, donated by a local physician.

Story-time and Children’s Events: High school leadership groups provide story time, tutoring, mentoring and special events for shelter children, assisting them in maintaining necessary academic skills and motivation.


Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum Care / Opportunity, Inc.
Opportunity, Inc. (Admin Office) 203 Cloverdale Boulevard, Suite B Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 Phone: (850) 409-3070 Fax: (850) 409-3071 info@okaloosawaltonhomeless.org	Opportunity Place 305 Lovejoy Road Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Phone: (850) 659-3190 Fax: (850) 659-3191