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We Are On A Mission To Reduce The Homeless Population And Stabilize Our At-risk Neighbors In East Orange County.

The Mission of the Samaritan Resource Center (SRC) is to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the homeless and other at-risk folks in East Orange County as a witness to the love of Jesus Christ.

The Samaritan Resource Center was incorporated in 2013 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit and formed through a partnership with several churches in East Orlando. Participating churches, includes but not limited to, Grace Journey, Orlando Wesleyan, Spirit of Joy Lutheran, University Presbyterian, and Woodbury Presbyterian. We are always looking for more partnerships with churches who can align with our Christian Mission Statement.

Since we began operating at our Colonial Drive center in 2013 we have helped 2,000 homeless individuals by providing assistance through applying for food stamps, SSI/SSD, Assurance phones; through partnerships with Goodwill’s Job Connection Center, and with Lakeside Behavioral Center/Aspire; and through offering haircuts, clothing, prayer, and much more!

We are an official ACCESS FLORIDA Site.

We Are On A Mission To Reduce The Homeless Population And Stabilize Our At-risk Neighbors In East Orange County.

The Mission of the Samaritan Resource Center (SRC) is to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the homeless and other at-risk folks in East Orange County as a witness to the love of Jesus Christ.

The Samaritan Resource Center was incorporated in 2013 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit and formed through a partnership with several churches in East Orlando. Participating churches, includes but not limited to, Grace Journey, Orlando Wesleyan, Spirit of Joy Lutheran, University Presbyterian, and Woodbury Presbyterian. We are always looking for more partnerships with churches who can align with our Christian Mission Statement.

Since we began operating at our Colonial Drive center in 2013 we have helped 2,000 homeless individuals by providing assistance through applying for food stamps, SSI/SSD, Assurance phones; through partnerships with Goodwill’s Job Connection Center, and with Lakeside Behavioral Center/Aspire; and through offering haircuts, clothing, prayer, and much more!

We are an official ACCESS FLORIDA Site.

OUR HISTORY

1998

Members from local churches served breakfast at Downey Park every Saturday to help the increasing homeless population in East Orlando.

2007

A local church hosted Project Homeless connect, which brought other church partners and Orange County together to start thinking together how to meet this need.

2010

Volunteers at the SRC began providing mobile services for the homeless and at-risk population of East Orange county at three sites providing clothing, portable showers and other assistant services.

2011

The SRC is formed through a partnership with several churches in East Orlando, including Grace Journey, Orlando Wesleyan, Spirit of Joy Lutheran, University Presbyterian, Woodbury Presbyterian among others.

April 18, 2011

The SRC was officially incorporated and registered in the State of Florida as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization giving the ability to accept financial contributions and donations.

2013

2013 (June) – With Orange County Government’s support, the SRC began operating at 9833 East Colonial Drive providing multiple services to the homeless in East Orange County. This building is better known as the Jordan River.

2015

Orange County government purchased and renovated the next-door building, 9837 East Colonial Drive, for the SRC to provide additional services including medical care. A partnership was signed with Shepperd’s Hope to provide medical service.

2017

The Samaritan Resource Center Inc. signs a funding contract with Orange County to provide services to the homeless in East Orange County.

OUR HISTORY

Since 2013 the SRC has 2,000 active clients utilizing our services and have provided over 125,000 services such as assistance in applying for food stamps, Assurance phones, providing counseling, food, clothing, showers, laundry services, haircuts, and medical services through Shepperd’s Hope, and Lakeside Behavioral Center/Aspire and by offering prayer, and more! Orange County Government purchased and renovated the next-door building, 9837 East Colonial Drive, for the SRC to provide additional services including medical care. A partnership was signed with Shepperd’s Hope to provide medical services.

The SRC is here for a HAND UP, not a hand out. We are an official ACCESS FLORIDA Site.

1998

Members from local churches served breakfast at Downey Park every Saturday to help the increasing homeless population in East Orlando.

2007

A local church hosted Project Homeless connect, which brought other church partners and Orange County together to start thinking together how to meet this need.

2010

Volunteers at the SRC began providing mobile services for the homeless and at-risk population of East Orange county at three sites providing clothing, portable showers and other assistant services.

2011

The SRC is formed through a partnership with several churches in East Orlando, including Grace Journey, Orlando Wesleyan, Spirit of Joy Lutheran, University Presbyterian, Woodbury Presbyterian among others.

April 18, 2011

The SRC was officially incorporated and registered in the State of Florida as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization giving the ability to accept financial contributions and donations.

2013

2013 (June) – With Orange County Government’s support, the SRC began operating at 9833 East Colonial Drive providing multiple services to the homeless in East Orange County. This building is better known as the Jordan River.

2015

Orange County government purchased and renovated the next-door building, 9837 East Colonial Drive, for the SRC to provide additional services including medical care. A partnership was signed with Shepperd’s Hope to provide medical service.

2017

The Samaritan Resource Center Inc. signs a funding contract with Orange County to provide services to the homeless in East Orange County.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paul Scheck
Board Chair

Dawn Haynes
Immediate Past Chair

Bill “Roto” Reuter
Past Chair

Robb Richardson
Chair Elect

Ed “Jez” Jezisek
Secretary

Lindse Murphy

Daila Espeut-Jones

Gustavo Mujica

Lorianne Woldehanna

Sandra Orantes

Annette Shaffer

STAFF

Zeynep Portway
Executive Director

Diana Geremi
Director of Operations

Eric Alicea
Program Manager

Nancy Martinez

Aaron Simmons
Jordan River Assistant

VOLUNTEERS

The Samaritan Resource Center is a 96% volunteer operated resource center. We are blessed to have an average of twenty volunteers on a daily basis providing services to our clients. Since 2015 our volunteers have contributed over 30,000 hours of their time to fulfill the SRC’s mission. They check-in clients, provide them food, clothing, counseling, showers, haircuts, laundry services, laundry among other services. Without their commitment, punctuality, care and love to help the homeless, this would not be possible.

We Love Our Volunteers… they are the Heart of the SRC!!

VOLUNTEERS

The Samaritan Resource Center is a 96% volunteer operated resource center. We are blessed to have an average of twenty volunteers on a daily basis providing services to our clients. Since 2015 our volunteers have contributed over 30,000 hours of their time to fulfill the SRC’s mission. They check-in clients, provide them food, clothing, counseling, showers, haircuts, laundry services, laundry among other services. Without their commitment, punctuality, care and love to help the homeless, this would not be possible.

We Love Our Volunteers… they are the Heart of the SRC!!

None of us are as powerful as all of us

OUR GENEROUS COMMUNITY PARTNERS

DO YOU NEED HELP OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS HELP?

The SRC is a faith-based volunteer operated resource center for those experiencing homelessness
in East Orange County.

We are a drop-in center helping adult individuals get back on their feet through case management, mental health counseling, and basic life essentials such as food, clothing, and hygiene supplies.

If you or someone you know needs help,
contact us at 407.482.0600 to get more details.