Announcements

Osceola County, Florida - The Osceola Resort Area Council (a council of the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce) has partnered with Give Kids Safe Shelter in their efforts to transition children and their families currently living in hotels/motels along West Hwy 192 into safer, sustainable housing.

This community driven initiative is a collaboration of a number of local non-profits which, in addition to Give Kids Safe Shelter, include Osceola Council on Aging, Osceola County Human Services, Habitat for Humanity, Homeless Services Network, the Green Bag Project, Helping Others Make the Effort (H.O.M.E.), Children's Advocacy Center (C.A.C.), and some local businesses including Concord Apartments, Kenney Communications and a number of Osceola County hotels and motels.

On Saturday, July 16th, volunteers from the Osceola Resort Area Council, Give Kids Safe Shelter and Osceola County Government gathered at the Super 8 Kissimmee Suites and the Omni Hotel to collect donated furniture which in turn is being distributed to families who are transitioning from local hotels and motels into sustainable housing.

"This initiative will help these families get back on their feet while at the same time return West Hwy 192 hotel/motel rooms back to the industry for them to fill with visitors/tourists." said Gene Terrico (Chairman of Give Kids Safe Shelter). For more information on Project 192 Outreach and how you can help, visit www.givekidssafeshelter.org.

Photo: Top row from left to right: Tony Martonello and Brian Johnson (Kenney Communications); bottom row from left to right: Jennifer Sargent (Osceola Library System), Barbara Kenney (Osceola Resort Area Council Chairwoman), and Rizwan Saferali (O.R.A.C. Member and Owner, Super 8 Kissimmee Suites). Photo taken by Hector Lizasuain.