Pictured above: 1. Pam Gould, Teresa Jacobs, Kirstin Delgado, Sisaundra Lewis, Lin Wilensky, Belvin Perry, Jr. 2. Fay Horton, Mayor Jacobs, Lisa Jacobs 3. Belvin Perry, Jr., June Ings, LaDrean Perry and Commissioner Samuel Ings. 4. Lin Wilensky, Teresa Jacobs, recently-housed veteran David Williams and Bruce Jacobs. 5. John Moskos 6. Dick and Andrea Batchelor, Elisha Gonzalez, Shannon Gravitte, S. Scott Boyd, Joe Mendoza, Chris Carmody, Graciela Noreiga Jacoby
The Dave’s House team is overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support for our work to end homelessness for individuals living with severe mental illness. Thanks to supporters like you, we raised $110,000 at the Happy Days Soiree in October.
About 300 guests attended the community event, held at Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, that featured a tribute to Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and retired Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. “Both Mayor Jacobs and Judge Perry have demonstrated their commitment to ending homelessness throughout their careers; we were delighted to honor them for their efforts to champion this cause at our Soiree,” said Lin Wilensky, co-founder.
Special guest presenters included Dr. William Barnes, founder of Shepherd's Hope, and Andrae Bailey, president and CEO of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness. Powerhouse singer Sisaundra Lewis, 2014 quarter finalist in The Voice, provided inspiring entertainment.
The Happy Days Soiree celebrated the organization’s 2015 achievements in providing permanent supportive housing and ongoing mental health care to individuals living with severe mental illness.
“The average annual cost of an individual living with severe mental illness in homelessness – cycling in and out of incarceration, emergency rooms and inpatient hospitalizations – is $31,065,” said Ron Wilensky, co-founder. “That cost reduces to $10,051 when an individual has permanent supportive housing. The outpouring of generosity from local government, our supporters, sponsors and partners is significantly impacting lives, helping people live with stability, autonomy and dignity,” he said.
Proceeds raised during this event will afford the critical assistance necessary to help place the first eight individuals in the two homes donated by Orange County. To help with the immediate goal of housing 24 individuals, visit www.daveshouse.org to make a donation.