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| Intro | Direct Care Ministry | Food Services | ||
Direct Care Ministry
Camillus offers a range of services to persons living on the streets. The program is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Camillus House Courtyard, located directly in back of the 726 NE 1st Avenue facility, provides a quiet, safe place for clients to sit out of the sun and rain as they wait for services at Camillus. A comfortable, air-conditioned waiting room is also provided inside for clients seeking other Direct Care Ministry services. Specific services available include:
General Assistance
A Client Services Specialist serves as the first primary contact for most homeless persons who come to the Day Center for services. The Services Specialist assists clients in obtaining immediate needs, such as food, showers, or clothing; provides information regarding services available; and provides hygiene items, such as soap, toothpaste, and combs. Other types of assistance immediately available includes bus tokens, water, foot lotion, and other small items. Public restrooms and water fountains are also available.
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Mail/Telephone Services
Camillus offers a free mail service, whereby persons who are homeless can use Camillus as a mailing address in order to send and receive mail. Incoming mail is sorted on a daily basis, and the names of all persons with mail pending are posted so that individuals know when to pick up their mail. Clients can make free local phone calls, or long distance calls with approval.
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Identification Cards
Homeless persons can obtain a free, “Camillus House” picture ID, which often serves as the only form of ID the person has. Camillus also recently entered into a partnership with the 11th Judicial Circuit Court Criminal Mental Health Project, and Partners in Crisis, in order to begin producing special ID cards for clients with mental illness. Participation for clients is strictly voluntary. The cards serve two purposes: first, they provide clients with some sort of identification; second, they alert police who may encounter the client on minor incidents that the client should be taken to a mental health facility rather than to jail.
In addition, Camillus assists clients who have lost all of their ID in re-establishing their identity by obtaining birth certificates, social security cards, and other forms of ID vital to helping persons obtain housing and employment.
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Showers/Clothing Exchange
Camillus offers free, hot showers for men four days per week, and for women one day per week. Clients can obtain a free exchange of clean clothing, in conjunction with the shower program, or via special referral.
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Veterinary Services
For many homeless persons, their pet is their only friend in the world. Through a partnership with the Dade County Veterinary Society, free veterinary services are offered on-site at Camillus, once every two months, for the pets of homeless persons. Services include rabies shots, vaccinations, flea treatment and prevention, registration/tags, and spaying and neutering. The program has so far proven highly successful in empowering clients by making them feel like they are taking good care of their pets.
View list of other Direct Care Ministry Services...
