Welcome to the 2nd edition of The Catalyst, every day we are fueled by this vision to be a force for meaningful change. The stories shared in this issue have inspired us and fueled our passion. I can't wait to share the exciting things in store for 2024!
Looking Ahead
March - The Gulf Coast Partnership (GCP) Offices will be moving into the new Family Services Center at 12500 Gibralter Dr. in Port Charlotte. The building, shared spaces, teaching kitchen, conference rooms, and awesome sensory room are so beautiful and lovingly designed, we can't wait to move in. I want to thank Carrie Walsh for her vision and persistence in making this dream a reality.
April - Agency and Participant Training and Education. The GCP will begin providing:
- Bridges Out of Poverty Classes for partner agency staff or boards who would like a better understanding of ways to support and help individuals and communities break free of poverty.
- Getting Ahead Groups for participants referred from partner agencies. These groups will provide a facilitated setting with step-by-step discovery of how to build the life participants want and how to develop relationships with people who will support them along the way.
- In person HUD-Approved Housing Counseling offering guidance on homebuying, renting, reverse mortgages, default, and foreclosure prevention.
May - Unveiling Stars Academy. Stars Academy will be a high-quality early childhood education center serving families in Charlotte County. There was a childcare crisis before Hurricane Ian, specifically a lack of affordable and accessible care for newborns to age 5 years. Multiple centers were damaged or destroyed making the problem much worse for our community's most vulnerable children. The GCP is grateful for the partnership and financial support from the American Red Cross to open a beautiful new center which will allow struggling parents to join or rejoin the workforce and continue their education.
July - Planned "Go-Live" date for Charlotte County's new HMIS System. We are finally making the transition from WellSky to Bitfocus. For those providers out there who have been struggling, you are gong to love the new system and it will genuinely make your lives easier.
September - By the end of September, we plan on closing down Hurricane Ian and Idalia Long-Term Recovery missions through the GCP. The COAD will remain ready to respond to future disasters.
In closing, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each member of the GCP family. Whether you're a beneficiary, donor, staff member, volunteer, or a well-wisher, you play a vital role in our story. Together we can change lives!
With warm regards,
Angela M. Hogan
CEO, Gulf Coast Partnership
