It’s Mental Health Month, a time to put the spotlight on the importance of good mental health for everyone. It’s also a time to raise awareness about mental health, and fight the stigma associated with mental illness. Our residents have escaped homelessness and are living in recovery with serious mental illness. They are resilient, focused and determined to live their best lives, with the stability of permanent supportive housing.

In Central Florida’s Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties, there are an estimated 2,010 homeless individuals. Of the 29,717 homeless men and women in Florida, 17.3% have serious mental illness (Florida Council on Homelessness, 2019).

These are the men and women we are working to help.

Watch the video above to catch up with the latest from Dave’s House and our Central Florida behavioral services provider Aspire Health. Dave’s House Executive Director Ellen O’Connor talks with Aspire Health’s Carolyn Kreuzpaintner, Supervisor for Kate’s Place Clubhouse and Dave’s House homes, about our Orlando residents and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resident & Community Needs

Aspire Health is in need of more masks for their residential programs, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. Our Dave’s House residents are in need of:

• new or unopened personal toiletry items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving cream, razors, etc.)
• household maintenance items (laundry, dish and dishwasher detergents, household cleaners, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.)  

If you would like to donate items, please contact Carolyn Kreuzpaintner to schedule a drop off at Aspire Health’s Kate’s Place Clubhouse, Monday-Friday. It is located at 4508 Thistledown Dr., Orlando, FL 32804. The Clubhouse is open for shorter weekday hours for Aspire Health’s transitional housing residents.

Carolyn can be reached at 407-875-3700 Ext. 2707; Carolyn.Kreuzpaintner@aspirehp.org

Our Residents, Keeping Connected

We developed a private Facebook group, Dave’s House Family, to help our residents keep in contact with each other. It’s our virtual community for our residents to interact, support each other and reach out for any assistance they may need. Group members also include behavioral health providers, mentors and staff. 

Residents can share their thoughts and ideas to each other including recipes, TV shows, games, books, music, hobbies – anything they want to talk about. We will also be hosting live events with interactive Q&A sessions and educational classes and providing informational links and videos, all to help our residents make the most of their time at home including cooking tips and techniques, gardening and mental health management.