A few months ago, our team piloted a new Re-engagement Program, and it's already changing lives. One woman had been out of the Center for a full year, still experiencing homelessness. Once our team reconnected with her, we got her re-enrolled in our program and engaged with a caseworker.

She was granted an extension to keep working in our program, and within 90 days, she moved into sustainable housing. Along the way, our team connected her with Bank of America for financial education, budgeting, and savings skills to help her stay stable in the long term.

She's one of the first success stories to come out of this program and a preview of what's possible as we expand it further.

What they do

Our outreach team provides unsheltered adults with transportation to the Kearney Center for emergency shelter or daily services, including lunch, showers, clean clothes, and hygiene products for men and women. During our Beat the Heat initiative, they hand out clear bookbags stocked with first aid kits, insect repellent spray and towelettes, sunscreen, cooling towels, body wipes, ready-to-eat meals, reusable water bottles, handheld fans, ponchos, lip balm, hand sanitizer, soap, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash. When winter comes, the focus shifts to blankets, hats, socks, gloves, and handwarmers.

Building trust

Many people experiencing homelessness are hesitant to accept help. The team's approach starts with confidentiality—making it clear that nothing shared will be repeated elsewhere—followed by walking people through exactly which resources are available and how to access them.

The barriers people face

Health insurance, Social Security, and a Florida ID are among the hardest things for people experiencing homelessness to obtain on their own. The team's pre-screening forms help confirm eligibility so people can move through the process normally, then connect them formally to The Kearney Center so they can access services and support.

What's misunderstood

Homelessness starts with many events; it can follow the loss of a caregiver, a mental health crisis, the loss of housing, an eviction, or an inability to keep up with utility bills. Homelessness doesn't always look like someone living in the woods; sometimes it's someone staying with someone else, with nowhere stable to call their own. Many assume help is only available in-house, when in fact this mobile team is out in the community every day, meeting people exactly where they are.

Want to help our outreach team? Donate supplies for our Beat The Heat initiative today.

Julie Lovelace — New Board Chair

The Kearney Center has named Julie Lovelace as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. Lovelace first became involved with the organization after attending its annual Table of Hope fundraiser and joined the Board earlier this year. As Chair, she plans to focus on expanding community awareness, strengthening corporate partnerships, and growing philanthropic support.

Chloe Harden — New Board Member

Chloe Harden is the Program Manager for the Innovative Research Dissemination (IRD) lab at the Florida Center for Reading Research, where she oversees digital content development to enhance the center's outreach and engagement. Chloe has worked in the Tallahassee community for several years and says the most rewarding projects have always been those that support individuals and families who need extra help. She's looking forward to working alongside other service-minded people in Tallahassee and contributing to the Board's work.

For two years, one man lived in an encampment, experiencing homelessness with no ID, no income, and no clear path forward. Our Outreach team didn't give up on him. It took many attempts before he was finally willing to come in, but when he did, our team got to work.

With no identification in his name, staff coordinated a team to help him obtain it, and we connected him with a caseworker and counselor for ongoing support. From there, our partnership with North Florida Legal helped him apply for SSDI, a turning point that gave him a stable income for the first time in years.

Because of visual impairments, our team helped place him in a senior living facility suited to his needs. On move-out day, we sent him off with a move-out box, and we've continued to support the client and the facility with food supplies since then.

Two years in an encampment. Months of persistence. One team that refused to walk away. This is what long-term outreach looks like — and it's only possible because of donors and volunteers like you.

Donate. Every gift helps us restock Beat the Heat supplies and keep emergency services running for people experiencing homelessness in our community.

Volunteer. Join our volunteer team, help pack Beat the Heat bookbags, or support daily operations at the Center.