ABOUT HUM

HALIFAX URBAN MINISTRIES

HOMELESS PREVENTION & INTERVENTION

 

Halifax Urban Ministries, established in 1981, is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing food and housing insecurity in Volusia and Flagler counties. HUM’s $3.4 million budget is funded approximately two-thirds by State and Federal grants with one-third through donations and private grants. 94% of each dollar directly provides services to those we serve.

 

 

WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

The mission of Halifax Urban Ministries (HUM) is to instill hope in those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless by meeting needs and helping achieve self-sufficiency.

OUR VISION

To create a compassionate community where every individual facing homelessness or hardship has the resources, support, and opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency and lasting stability, driven by dignity, care, and hope.

OUR VALUES

Compassion – Providing care and support with kindness and understanding for those experiencing homelessness and hardship.

Dignity – Treating every individual with respect, regardless of their circumstances, and affirming their inherent worth.

Empowerment – Encouraging self-sufficiency and offering the tools and resources necessary to foster personal growth and independence.

Community – Building strong, supportive relationships within the community to create a collective impact on homelessness and poverty.

Accountability – Managing resources and programs responsibly to ensure effective, transparent service to those in need.

Hope – Fostering optimism and belief in the potential for positive change in the lives of individuals and families.

OUR HISTORY

SMALL BEGINNINGS

Halifax Urban Ministries is a faith-based 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization that began serving the Volusia/Flagler County community in 1981.

 

Leaders of local churches and synagogues came together to meet the needs of those experiencing economic hardship. By first feeding the homeless in local parks, demand and the need grew to obtain a building for a hot meal program and expanded services. The organization has grown over the years from an initial budget of $27,000 to a current budget of $3.4 million.

 

Support comes from individuals, churches, foundations, businesses, and government funding. Although much support comes from the faith community, our work to help people in the community is non-sectarian. Services are offered to anyone in need and do not require participation in any sectarian activities to receive service.

 

HUM has grown to be the area's largest provider of food, shelter and basic services to low income households.

HUM OFFERS 6 PROGRAMS TO HELP OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED:

FEED-A-FAMILY HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM

Feed-a-Family Homeless Prevention Program distributes over 500 tons of food each year (that's over 800,000 meals) to help families living below the poverty line who often struggle with hunger, nutrition, and food insecurity. We consider this to be our “first line of defense” in preventing homelessness. If we can reduce a family’s grocery bill they will have more funds to pay for rent, utilities, and other household expenses. HUM also provides financial help through utility & rent assistance and offer referrals and case management to families on the road to self-sufficiency.

BRIDGE OF HOPE MOBILE DAILY HOT MEAL PROGRAM

Bridge of Hope Mobile Pantry delivers almost 100,000 meals annually to the unsheltered and food insecure in low income areas. Hot lunches prepared by volunteer groups under the guidance of HUM chefs are served 365 days each year.  Meals include protein, vegetables, starch, dessert and bottled water. This is often the only quality nutrition our guests have access to on a daily basis.

HOPE PLACE

Hope Place provides emergency housing for up to 3 months for over 100 families with children each year. Families are provided a safe place to stay, day care for children, three meals a day, tutoring, parenting and budgeting classes, and case management. Our Rapid Rehousing Program helps families quickly establish a new residence each year through financial assistance and follows up with case management to increase the chance of a successful outcome, helping families return to being self-sustaining members of our community.

BARRACKS OF HOPE

Barracks of Hope provides transitional housing for up to 9 months to male and female veterans who have struggled with homelessness, addiction, and mental health. Single occupancy rooms are provided, along with mental health counseling, case management, and three meals per day. In 2023, Barracks of Hope served 83 veterans (76 men, 7 women) and helped move 56 into permanent housing.

CARS BRING HOPE

Cars Bring Hope provides a reliable personal vehicle to deserving families. What could be more transformative? Access to better jobs. Safe transportation of children. The security of knowing you are not dependent on others for trips to doctor, pharmacy, or hospital.

PATHWAYS TO HOUSING

Pathways To Housing helps individuals and families remain in housing by assisting with one-time rent and utility payments, locating and negotiating lease agreements for affordable housing for those who have lost their homes, and assisting with move-in expenses.

HUM SERVICES 2023 – WHAT YOUR DONATIONS ACCOMPLISHED

HOMELESS PREVENTION

Feed a Family - 30,256 bags of 32 pounds of food (484 tons).

 

Food Brings Hope - 8,022 bags of 16 pounds of food (64 tons).

 

Volusia County Summer Camps – 663 bags of 16 pounds of food (5 tons).

 

Financial Assistance (rent 235, electric 160, water 54, medical expenses 19, bus passes 581).

SHELTER PROGRAMS

Hope Place Family Shelter - 139 families served.

 

Hope Place Unaccompanied Youth – 30 youth served.

 

Barracks of Hope – 57 veterans served, 28 transitioned to permanent housing.

 

Cold Weather Shelter - 241 people on 6 cold nights (i.e., <40°).

 

Hurricane Shelter – 89 sheltered at Volusia County Fairgrounds.

HOMELESS INTERVENTION

Hot Meals at the Bridge of Hope - 94,882

 

Showers & Hygiene Packs - 29,853

 

Clothes & Shoes - 10,628

 

Breakfast & Snack Food Bags - 13,112

 

Bus Passes – 581 served

 

Case Management - 7,489 served

 

BOARD LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Anne Evans

Board Chair

Judy Barefield

Vice Chair

Clint Bagwell

Secretary

Sam Willett

Treasurer

BOARD MEMBERS

Angie Achler-Ray

Clint Bagwell

Judy Barefield

Norris Brewer

Jerry Cutter

Dominque Dubois

Anne Evans

Al Falco

Christy Gillis

Ted Serbousek

Scott Smith

Bill Turner 

Sam Willett

Bob Williams

STAFF LEADERSHIP

ADMINISTRATION

Buck James

Executive Director

(386)317-5880

Surbrina Thayer

Director of Operations

(386)317-5874

Rebecca Wetzel

Director of Finance

(386)317-5878

Rita Kostiuk

Finance Assistant

(386)317-5876

Rhonda Hodges

Marketing/Volunteers

(386)317-5886 (option 3)

HOPE PLACE RESIDENT ADVOCATES

Donna Burke

Resident Advocate

Tiawanna Byrd

Resident Advocate

Tamara Carter

Resident Advocate

John Heard

Resident Advocate

Matthew Kiss

Case Manager

(386) 317-5875

Joanne Robert

Resident Advocate

Haley Russell

Resident Advocate

John Watson

Resident Advocate

HOPE PLACE KITCHEN

Tina Davis

Hope Place Café Chef

Tamica Mathews

Hope Place Café Chef

HopeHope Place Café Ch Place Café Chef

Stan Arel

Facilities

HOUSING CASE MANAGEMENT

Jeremy Royce

HUD Certified Housing Counselor

(386) 317-5875

Julie Bernstein

Case Manager

(386)317-5890

Lyn Hawkins

Housing Locator

Trace Rudolph

Case Manager

(386) 317-5901

Jessica Youngs

Housing Locator

(386) 317-5875

BARRACKS OF HOPE

Brandy Conaway

Facility Manager

(386)252-9400 (Option 2)

Norman Beatty

Case Manager

(386)252-9400 (Option 3)

Patricia Bernot

Resident Advocate

Lena Britton

Resident Advocate

Suzanne Forlenzo

Resident Advocate

Laurie Riley

Resident Advocate

LOGISTICS

Alphonso Alexander

CDL Driver

Susan Boyd

Driver

Jeff Isaacs

Maintenance

Jennifer Ellis

Donations

SUSTAINING PARTNERS

Bank of America

Brown & Brown Insurance

Daytona International Speedway

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Florida Hospital

Florida United Methodist Conference

Gordon Food Services

Jon Hall / Ritchey Automotive

Little Caesars

Publix

Sodexho

Thrivent

HELPING PEOPLE FOLLOW JESUS