Our Mission is to help all in need to the best of our ability. We follow the parable of the Good Samaritan, as there are no requirements for our services. We constantly reinvent the wheel to make it all work. The faces of homelessness can change as well as each individual’s circumstances. As of October 2014, the new face of homelessness is more Veterans than we have seen in our six year history. Veterans fought for the rights of all , including themselves. The Founder feels that no one should lose those rights by becoming homeless. Since the Mission in Citrus homeless shelters opened in 2008, thousands have been helped using less dollars and more sense. The foundation for the Mission In Citrus and the rules and regulations that they still follow, were set up by their homeless founder and six other homeless people. It has been a long struggle, but their faith in God helped them to make it through many tough times.While they live by faith, no one is forced to pray or go to church. Most of them do on their own.Veteran’s fought for that right.
Many said that it could not be done, but they have shown that it could be done, when given the proper resources. Some of the obstacles they had overcome were getting people to give money to homeless people. But once people saw what was happening, the support started to flow in. They have come a long way in the past ten years, from over 50 tents to the three shelters that are operated today. Including a Veteran’s shelter that opened in 2010. There were no high paid staff or administration expenses, other than the office supplies, leases, and other bills that were needed to operate. In comparison to others, it would cost close to $5 million dollars to provide the services that last year were given on less than $190,000.
They have received awards from GreatNonprofits, and many others over the past ten years, and have more positive reviews than 18, 800 other charities around the United States. They still have a hard time getting funds for future innovative projects, as many do not want to admit, that it could be done. They have been pioneers since the start, and have shown that most of the homeless Veteran’s problem can be solved.Homelessness has become a multibillion dollar business. And just like any other industry, there will be no end to it as many jobs would be lost and it has become a major part of our economy. Thanks to a state grant, they now have an office person, and a caseworker which are paid. But there is far more to be done. They are only limited by funding. Sadly, there are many charities out there spending millions on advertising and operating costs, while those in the trenches and in the front lines receive very little support.
The money spent on one commercial could make their projects get into high gear. And as many think that helping the problem in Citrus County , Florida does not help the rest of our Veterans around the United States. They are wrong. Homeless Veterans come to Citrus County Florida from the North due to health problems and warmer weather. And the Mission in Citrus homeless shelter’s innovative and pioneer projects are able, and made to be a blue print for others. Like the military. They believe in.Get the job done. The Mission in Citrus has a very high success rate, due to offering a hand up and not a handout. And who better to help the homeless, then those who been there and have the knowledge to help others succeed. There is no one at the top making big bucks or scamming the American people. In fact, they support bills that make it a felony to use Veteran’s for their own self interests.
Thanks to their success. Walmart, Home Depot, Big Lots, Winn-Dixie, Bed Bath and Beyond, and many others have been giving them merchandise that they give away freely in the community. They have been told by many that they should have sold the merchandise to pay their bills. Since their founding in 2008, they have given away everything from cars, to helping all that they can, as it was freely given to them. In today’s economy, many cannot even afford thrift stores. So they wish to challenge anyone reading this to help them get the sprinkler system that is needed to provide more beds for veterans. And to visibly show them if needed, that they stretch every dollar into 10. So many veterans have died while at the Mission In Citrus or after leaving, they have started a new website called helpveteransinneed.com. This new website will be to help all vets, not just those in Citrus County Florida. The Mission in Citrus Inc operates three shelters located in Crystal River, and Inverness Florida… Our Mission is to help all in need regardless of their faith or lack of. It is not a requirement for any of our services. The Mission is a 501(c)3 Public Charity and all donations are tax deductible. Over $.95 cents of every dollar goes directly to goods and services for homeless residents.