At their June General Meeting, The GFWC Pasco Junior Woman's Club members gathered to get an update from Leona Wells about the services provided by Metropolitan Ministries. Starting from a collaboration of 13 churches in the Tampa, Florida, Metro Min has grown larger every year in the number of families assisted and volunteer hours provided. After 51 years, they now have 3 different outreach centers locations in the area; Dade City, Holiday, and Downtown Tampa. According to United Way, 56% of people in Pasco County are asset limited/income constrained, meaning they are employed people who are still at risk of becoming homeless.
Metro Min's outreach centers provide guidance and services to public resources in the area to connect these individuals or families with support that can assist with their need. In addition to the outreach centers, the 2 of their campuses also house 300 families every night that are under their care for midterm shelter. Their program averages a 6-8 month stay while undergoing counseling and educational programs to transition these families out of homelessness and into a stable living situation with an 89% success rate.
Another program that Metro Min provides in the area is their Pasco Metro BrigAIDe. This mobile unit provides support to the homeless that are in Pasco County and not currently in a midterm shelter. The GFWC Pasco Juniors assembled 100 blessing bags filled with essentials for the Metro BrigAIDe. In an assembly line style, the members grabbed a reusable bag and started to fill it with hygiene essentials, snacks, and reusable food utensils. These bags will be distributed throughout Pasco County to give a little "blessing" to each who receives one.
A Huge Thank You to all who donated items for our 100 Blessing Bags!
The Cleaning Pros
Lucas, Macyszyn, and Dyer Law Firm
Florida Department of Health
Connerton Dental Care
GFWC Blue Umbrella Club
Morningstar Storage in Wesley Chapel
