Identification Clinic – Recap and Photo Gallery – May 2019

At IDignity Orlando’s May Identification Clinic, with the amazing support of volunteers and sponsors:

213 people were served,
28 left with their Florida birth certificate,
43 applied for their out-of-state birth certificate,
61 received Social Security assistance, and
99 got their new Florida ID or driver’s license!

A big thanks to Orlando Health for sponsoring the IDignity May Identification Clinic, providing a delicious lunch from Las Cazuelas, and bringing an awesome team of volunteers.

Stefanie’s Story | Dignity through Identity


This mother refused to be manipulated and abused.

Instead, she secured freedom for herself and her children – starting with securing their proper identification.

Video produced by Creative Nation Media

Identification Clinic – Recap and Photo Gallery – April 2019


At IDignity Orlando’s April Identification Clinic, with the amazing support of volunteers and sponsors:

236 people were served,
37 left with their Florida birth certificate,
65 applied for their out-of-state birth certificate,
79 received Social Security assistance, and
71 got their new Florida ID or driver’s license!

A big thanks to Grace Church and The Walt Disney Company for sponsoring the IDignity April Identification Clinic. And a special thanks to Lazy Moon Pizza for donating a delicious lunch for our volunteers.


If you use any of these photos or share on social media, please credit and/or tag IDignity!

Identification Clinic – Recap and Photo Gallery – March 2019


At IDignity Orlando’s March Identification Clinic, with the amazing support of volunteers and sponsors:

240 people were served,
50 left with their Florida birth certificate,
44 applied for their out-of-state birth certificate,
78 received Social Security assistance, and
112 got their new Florida ID or driver’s license!

A big thanks to First Baptist Orlando and Universal Orlando Resort for sponsoring the IDignity March Identification Clinic. And a special thanks to Bartaco for donating a delicious lunch for our volunteers.


If you use any of these photos or share on social media, please credit and/or tag IDignity!

i4 Business: IDignity Helps People Recover Proof of Identification


“Without identification, citizens cannot apply for a job, get an education from a higher learning institution or trade school, receive benefits, cash checks, secure housing, open a bank account, and the list goes on. There is power in a name and the ability to prove it’s yours.”

Learn about the nuances and challenges of replacing identification with our Executive Director Michael Dippy in this fantastic article from i4 Business, written by Elyssa Coultas.

Click here to read the full article

 

 

WFTV: Organization IDignity promises to help homeless people in Central Florida

“For many, the one thing that stands in the way of getting back on track in their life is not having an ID, or a Social Security card, or a birth certificate.”

A special thank you to Steve Barrett and WFTV for this fantastic story, and for sharing our mission with Central Florida.

Identification Clinic – Recap and Photo Gallery – February 2019


At IDignity Orlando’s February Identification Clinic, with the amazing support of volunteers and sponsors:

240 people were served,
46 left with their Florida birth certificate,
49 applied for their out-of-state birth certificate,
81 received Social Security assistance, and
108 got their new ID or driver’s license!

A big thanks to Disney for sponsoring the IDignity February Identification Clinic.

And A special thank you to Infusion Tea for supplying the delicious lunch for our volunteers.

Finally thank you to Thomas Thorspecken/Analog Artist Digital World for coming out to paint some beautiful images of our event. Click the links below to see his three sketches:

sketch 1 | sketch 2 | sketch 3


If you use any of these photos or share on social media, please credit and/or tag IDignity!

God Put Us Here To Help

Written by Madhavi Mooljee


“God put us here to help those who were less fortunate”. These were the words of Myron, who, up until a few months ago lived in a tent under a large oak tree in Sanford, Florida with his wife Linda.

During a heavy storm in October, their tent was wrecked by a branch falling straight through the middle of it. Although the two individuals were unharmed, their few belongings were ruined, leaving them with little to call their own. In an ironic way however, they say how thankful they are for the experience because it led them to the local organizations that recently helped them move into their new home.

On this crisp, windy afternoon, the couple joyfully hold up their freshly printed driver’s licenses, the address to their new home labeled in black. It is for this reason that Myron cannot hold back his big toothless smile — overjoyed with the warmth and community that surrounds him here at the IDignity Orlando event. Both are excited for the opportunities that now await them.

Myron and Linda mention their eagerness to help those who need it most. “We both came from a checkered background…but we have made a step forward,” says Linda, a look of determination in her eye.

Having been homeless for a while, Myron and Linda have been through their fair share of struggles. Now that they have a place of their own, they open their doors to those who need somewhere to sleep, shower or eat. “We have a big heart for the homeless,” Linda says, “we’ve been there.” It is because of their experiences while living on the street that this couple is committed to loving everyone “regardless of who they are, what they are or what their color, sex or order.”

Myron and Linda’s story says a lot about what it means to make a difference. It shows how helping others does not mean you have to change the world, but simply lend a hand to someone who needs it.

With their new home and their new ID’s, the couple can now continue to fulfill their mission from God — to help those who are less fortunate.

# # #

Identification Clinic – Recap and Photo Gallery – January 2019

At IDignity Orlando’s January Identification Clinic, with the amazing support of volunteers and sponsors:

223 people were served,
32 left with their Florida birth certificate,
42 applied for their out-of-state birth certificate,
82 received Social Security assistance, and
97 got their new ID or driver’s license!

A big thanks to Trinity Downtown – The Ministries of Trinity Lutheran Church & School for sponsoring the IDignity January Identification Clinic. And a special thank you to Peace Comfort Dog for sharing her calming presence with the clients and volunteers.


If you use any of these photos or share on social media, please credit and/or tag IDignity!

2018 Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service

 

On December 18, the names of over 70 individuals were read. For each name read, a bell was rung and a candle was lit. The names were those of persons who passed away in 2018 on the streets of Central Florida, or in emergency shelters. This service is always held near Dec. 21, the longest night of the year, in recognition of the difficulties that nighttime causes for those who have no home.

The service was truly moving. Case workers, community members, and homeless individuals shared stories and memories about their deceased loved ones. Over 200 members of the Central Florida community came out to honor and remember the lives of their homeless neighbors.

It is our privilege to host this service each year. We’d like to thank Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, St. James Cathedral, and Summit Church for co-sponsoring this event with us, and for helping us to honor the lives of those who passed away in 2018 after having experience homelessness.

“Someone once said, that everyone dies twice: first, when you take your last breath, and second, when your name is spoken for the last time. It is important to speak the names and remember those who, although less fortunate than some, were part of our community and deserve to be acknowledged. ”  
– Don Price, Sexton of Orlando’s Greenwood Cemetery

Names of those honored

Woodrow Acres
Betty Andrade
Trevor Ayton
Teresa Bales
Daniel Barnes
Howard Beard
Newton Becket
Judith Binkley
Richard Bishop
Jim Brown
Walter L. Brown
Scott Brady
Daniel Branch
Robert Brin
David Brinklow
Robert Burchfield
Debra Ann Campbell
Michael Carter
Mary Anne Castillo
John Colman
Bonnie Cooke
Carlos Cosey
Mike Creger
David Earl Crowe
Michael Anthony Davis
Timothy DeJean
Elvin Delgado
Darryl Dozier
Mindy Engstrom
Harold Ford
Brittany Fox
Tracy Anne Fraser
Donald Freymoyer
Dawn Green
Patti Grossman
Kimberly Hand
Jason Hartshorne
Lawrence Holden
James Henry Hopson
Patrick Houle
Jeffrey Hudson
Larry Jackson
WIlliam Joseph
James Kearce
Zac Kennedy
Dawn Klenk
Georgia Landers
Bernard Leighton
Carol Lutz
Robert Mauck
Robert “Road Dog” McConnell
Lynette McPherson
Catherine Elaine Merck
James Ronnie Miller
Nelson Montero
Ivan “Dick” Morgan
Qawi Muhammed
Jerry Noel
Timothy Noffsinger
Axel Oquendo Javier
Mike Pastore
Ida May Pesole
Michael Stapler
Dean Stearns
David Steele
Dan Taczak
Timothy Turner
Thomas Udinski
Gladys Velez
Ernest Ward
Christopher Alan Washington
Stephen Weimer
Eugene West
Warren Whisonant
James L. Wilson
Paul Anthony Wright
William Yocum