By Dale Madison
Several years ago, one of the area Pride organizations started working with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter, to raise funds to build a home for a local family.
Although they fell short of their goal, they did raise over $5,000 to assist with the construction—and they raised awareness of an important issue, while helping to gather a base of volunteers from the LGBT community with an eye to helping build future homes for less fortunate families.
Recently, Habitat—which was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia, and includes among its international corps of volunteers former President Jimmy Carter—finished work on five new homes in Oakland Park. Volunteer Coordinator Eliot Imhoff was so inspired, that he is now working on three additional homes.
“Right now, we have all of the paperwork filed with the city of Oakland Park, and are working with King Automotive, BankAtlantic, and Wells-Fargo Bank,” Imhoff says. “In conjunction with Christ United Church, we will be breaking ground to help three more deserving families.
Many people don’t understand families in the homes don’t get a free ride,” he explains. “They have to help in the building of the home. The program is meant to give them a new lease on life, and help them with the responsibility, and giving them a sense of pride for their future,” Imhoff stresses.
“Habitat Broward brings together people from all walks of life to work in partnership with deserving families in need,” Imhoff explains. “Habitat for Humanity strengthens families, neighborhoods, and communities. Our mission is to eradicate substandard housing, and to build simple, decent, affordable housing for those with low incomes.”
Imhoff says he started working with Habitat as a volunteer following Hurricane Katrina, going to Biloxi, Mississippi, and assisting with the rebuilding effort there. He says he found real inspiration helping his fellow men. “Since 1983, Habitat Broward has built more than 320 homes, and we are always in need of volunteers,” he says. “Not only with the building of the homes, but in all facets of Habitat. We also have the Habitat Re-Store [at 505 W Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale], which was helped by local humanitarian Ginny Miller, who assisted with the funding. You can find almost anything for the home, from building supplies to furniture,” Imhoff notes.
In addition to volunteers, Imhoff says, “We are always looking for additional sponsors within the community, who are capable of contributing [money and materials], and those in the trade who can step forward and assist in the construction process.”
Imhoff suggests those who are interested in participating with Habitat Broward in whatever fashion should visit the main office (3564 N Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, in the BankAtlantic building).
For more information, visit habitatbroward.org.
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTORY
Latinos Salud
Free HIV rapid testing, Free one-on-one counseling
and life coaching for gay Latinos 18 to 44. Free peer
networking dinners and leadership training for gay
Latinos 25 to 44.
Free clubhouse for Latinos 18 to
30, planning alternative social events
2330 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors
(954) 765-6239 and (954) 533-8681
latinossalud.org facebook.com/juntoslatinossalud
facebook.com/somoslatinossalud
Minority Development & Empowerment
HIV Testing, case management
5225 NW 33rd Ave., Building 5, Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 315-4530
POVERELLO
HIV Testing, Free meals
2302 NE 7th Ave, Wilton Manors
(954) 561-3663
Out of the Closet
HIV Testing, referrals
2097 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors
(954) 358-5580
Men’s Wellness Center
HIV & STD’s Testing & treatment
6405 N. Federal Hwy., Suite 205, Ft. Lauderdale
(877) 259-8727
The East Health Center
HIV/STD’s Testing, screening and treatment,
Immigration medical examination
2421 SW 6th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 298-1749
(954) 467-4705
Broward House
HIV services, shelter, empowerment, housing, client
services
1726 SE 3rd Ave., Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 522-4749
Care Resource Broward
HIV Testing, case management,
830 E Oakland Park Blvd, Oakland Park
(954) 567-7141
Red Hispana
HIV Testing, Hispanic support groups, emergency
relief fund assistance, pre-case management
1350 East Sunrise Blvd., Suite 129, Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 462-8889
Care Resource Dade
HIV Testing, case management
3510 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
(305) 576-1234 Ext.287
Covenant House
Emergency/temporary shelter & crisis intervention
733 Breakers Ave., Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 561-5559
The Wellness Center
Support groups, Lipoatrophy (Facial Wasting)
2921 NE 6th Ave., Wilton Manors
(954) 568-0152
The Pride Center at Equality Park
HIV Testing, support groups, elderly, youth resources,
transgender resources, bereavement
2040 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305
(954) 463-9005
LAMBDA
Support groups, substance abuse
1231-A E Las Olas Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 761-9072
Gay & Lesbian Youth Support Group
Provides support to gay and lesbian youths 16 to 24
years of age
1480 SW 9 Avenue 2nd Floor Ft Lauderdale
Sunshine Cathedral Campus
(954) 764-5150
Brian Neal Fitness & Health Foundation
Weekly group workouts, gym membership, nutrition
and life mentoring classes by professionals, online
programs, exercise, and health monitoring for
persons living with HIV/AIDS and other lifechallenging
conditions.
2435 N. Dixie Hwy., Wilton Manors
(954) 336-0436
(561) 255-4913
AIDS Healthcare Foundation/Out of theCloset
HIV testing, client services, STD’s testing & treatment,
AHF Pharmacy
2097 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors
(954) 318-6997
The Community
Anger management, counseling Self pay/Sliding Scale
$25-$85
16 NE 4th St., Suite 130, Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 533-9819
Family Therapy Center
Anger management
2415 University Dr., Coral Springs
(954) 345-6222
South Florida Gender Coalition
Support groups for Cross-dressers, trans-sexuals and
significant others; Age 18 and older.
3233 NW 34th Ct., Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 578-9454, 954-677-2587
Teen Space 211
Tough teen issues, bullying, counseling
3217 NW 10th Terr., Suite 308, Ft. Lauderdale
Pride Institute of Fort Lauderdale
Gay/Lesbian/Bisex/Trans; Mental Health Services;
Substance Abuse Detox; Substance Abuse Inpatient
(954) 463-4321, 954-453-8679
(800) 585-7527
Legal Aid Service – Broward Human Rights Initiative
Low-income gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender
(GLBT) individuals in need of legal services, Gay/
Lesbian/Bisex/Trans; Legal Services
491 N State Rd. 7, Plantation
(954) 358-5635
Legal Aid Service – Broward Human Rights
Initiative
Legal services, immigration information
(954) 358-5635
SunServe
Counseling, mental health intake and referral, Noble
McArtor Senior Day Care Center, youth and family
services
1480 SW 9th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 764-5150, (954) 764-5055, (954) 764-5055,
(954) 549-0263
Fusion
Program open to the GLBTQ community. Activities
include meditation, social events, groups, movies,
games, classes, and condom distribution campaign.
2304 NE 7th Ave., Wilton Manors
(954) 630-1655
Spectrum Programs
Case Management, Marriage & Family therapy,
Outpatient Counseling, Psychiatric Services,
Substance Abuse Residential Treatment
450 E Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach
(954) 580-0770
(954) 781-4405
If your non-profit organization is not listed in the Agenda Non-Profit Services Directory, please send your information to Dale Madison at dalemadison@guymag.net.
