Western Region

The Western Region provides services to the community through six programs: AGAPE Food Bank, Emergency Family Services, St. Francis Women and Children’s Services, Pregnancy Counseling and Adoption Services, Mental Health Counseling, and the Lake Morton Senior Center.

The Agape Food Bank is a food distribution warehouse serving over 200 not-for-profit member agencies within the community. It is the only USDA and America’s Second Harvest provider for Polk County. Last year, the food bank provided 3,115,422 pounds of food to the needy. Statistics report that nearly 2 million Floridians are considered “food needy”. Member agencies are reporting a 15-25% increase in people needing help. With more funds we could implement additional programs such as Kids’ Café and Kids Backpack Programs to better help and change our community. We could also establish a satellite warehouse in the south Polk or north Highlands County area to better support our travelling agencies.

Emergency Family Services (EFS) provides food and financial assistance for rent/mortgage payments, utility bills, and prescriptions. Approximately 14,000 pounds of food are distributed each month. In the last six months EFS has provided over $55,000 in financial assistance. On average, 32 families are helped each month. In 2007, families received Thanksgiving and Christmas. An increase in funding would enable even more families to be helped, and to increase the amount available to each family as there is a $300.00 cap at this time.

St. Francis Women and Children’s Services has been providing financial assistance to women with children at risk of homelessness due to domestic violence, loss of income, or eviction. However, there is a need to expand this program to provide a continuum of care for these families to include counseling, parenting, job preparation, money management/budgeting, medical care, and daycare either through Catholic Charities or in partnership with other community services. In addition, the community is in need of another domestic violence shelter. According to the FDLE Crime in Florida Report, there were 4,708 incidents of domestic violence in Polk County in 2006. At this time, there are three programs offering shelter, however, Angelica Marquez of Peace River Center’s Domestic Violence Shelter reports there is still not enough space in these shelters to meet the need.

The Mental Health Counseling program provides counseling for a variety of mental health disorders to children, adolescents, and adults. Individual, family, and group counseling is available. The therapists are also available to do workshops in the community. Funding is needed to maintain salaries and increase the number of therapists as these services are offered on a sliding fee basis.

Pregnancy Counseling and Adoption Services promote our belief in the value of every human life. 40 women and their families have received pregnancy counseling in the past 18 months. The adoption program was defunct from 2000 – 2006. Since October 2006, 7 babies have been placed for adoption. We would like to see this program increase in the number of adoptions and home studies we are able to do.

The US Census Bureau reported 23% percent of Lakeland's population is 65 or over compared to 17% for the state of Florida. The Lake Morton Senior Center is the only senior center in Lakeland that provides continuous daily activities for seniors throughout the day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The center offers them a support system and activities to promote their physical and emotional wellness. Activities include cards, board games, playing pool, arm chair exercises, sing-a-longs, art classes, yoga classes, keyboard instruction, and Bingo. Coffee and snacks are provided. Lunches are provided for $1.00 in conjunction with the Fellowship Dining Program. Other activities scheduled each month include health seminars, speakers, live entertainment, and holiday parties. A support group for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren meets every second Friday of the month. Each day, an average of 50 seniors participates in the activities. 500-700 lunches are served each month. If we had more money, we could have our own van for transportation and day trips, increase our budget for activities, have a part time therapist for our discussion groups and provide counseling and case management for our seniors.

Success Stories

EFS Veria Walker: A newly single mom came to us for assistance. She was getting out of an abusive marriage and found herself in the Peace River Shelter. Through SFWS, I referred her to Polk Works for employment and their Citrus Car Program. I also referred her to an apartment complex in the area. She was able to secure a temporary job. She received a beautiful 2001 Dodge Caravan from Citrus Cars and was accepted in the apartment complex. We were able to help her with her first month’s rent, and she paid her security deposit and was able to move in with her 2 children. She still lives in the same apartment, and she now has a permanent job working in the public school system.

LMSC Marcia Goldenberg: The most current success story concerns a woman, living with her daughters, who has suffered with severe psychological problems for the past few years. Her therapist suggested that she go to a day program for socialization while her children were at work. They took her to a few places, the YMCA and others, all of which she hated. About a month ago, her therapist suggested Lake Morton Senior Center. She started coming for a few hours a few days a week. Now she comes for all activities daily. Her children have been thrilled at the change in her. She is happy, enthusiastic, has fewer mood swings, and looks forward to each new day and activity. She is very social and helpful while she is here and tells us constantly how happy she is and how much she loves it here.