Program areas at Christian Care Center
The Men's Residence, founded in 1982, is a residential ministry to men struggling with drug and alcohol issues. The Men's Residence has a 7.5-month program which offers counseling, life skills, access to employment re-training and various other services as needed. The Men's Residence has an average 12-month post-exit sobriety rate of roughly 40 percent, more than twice that of the national average. A total of 57 men were assisted via the Men's Residence and a total of 8,154 meals were served to the homeless and hungry during the year.
The Benevolence Center, founded in 1991, serves more than 2,500 individuals with food, clothing, and other vital needs each month, including approximately eleven tons of food each week. The center provides enough food to all 4 of our residential ministries to prepare over 90,000 meals each year to those living on and visiting our campus. In addition, the Benevolence Center offers vouchers through the City of Leesburg for utility assistance when funds are available. 29,517 needy individuals received some form of assistance throughout the year. Additionally, The Fresh Start Job Program began operation in 2008 as a volunteer program. It is designed to provide help and assistance to individuals who are unemployed and seeking re-employment. Job referrals, career counseling, resume development and computerized job searches are available either by personal appointments or on-line by computer access. The need for help, assistance and direction is increasing daily and will continue for some time as individuals in the community continue to struggle with unemployment. Last year we assisted 125 people finding jobs in Lake County.
The Samaritan Inn (Homeless Family Shelter), opened in 2010. It serves homelss families who are not presently dealing with addiction or facing felony charges. The Samaritan Inn is currently Lake County's only shelter for intact homeless families with men, women and children. During the year a total of 50 men, women and children transitioned from homelessness to economic self-sufficiency.
The Women's Care Center, founded in 1987, is a residential ministry to women, similar to that of the Men's Residence, but also caters to the sensitive side of recovery for those individuals with histories of sexual abuse. A total of 28 women were assisted and given shelter during the year.
The Pregnancy and Family Care Center, founded in 1989, serves families with children under the age of five who are dealing with issues related to poverty, abuse, neglect, and legal issues, as well as individuals confronting unplanned pregnancies. Childbirth and parenting classes are offered in this program, as well as assistance with clothing and baby needs. 2,092 women and teenagers were assisted in the Pregnancy and Family Care Center during the year.
The Children's Shelter Home, founded in 1985, is a residential ministry ready to serve children who have been removed from parental custody by the state of Florida because of abuse or neglect. The Children, who stay for an average of 6 months, are cared for in 24 hours per day and taken part in all age-appropriate activities offered through the First Baptist Church of Leesburg, Inc. Since the the state of Florida closed down all Group Shelters in the state of Florida during the Covid-19 pandemic, we have not been permitted to reopen the shelter yet but are anxiously waiting on the state to allow us to continue this vital ministry in Central Florida.