DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., December 12, 2019 – AdventHealth Daytona Beach has committed to support the First Step homeless shelter over the next three years with a nearly $380,000 gift.
“How can you focus on managing your health and wellbeing if you don’t know where you are going to sleep at night?” said Ed Noseworthy, AdventHealth Daytona Beach CEO. “As a faith-based organization, we believe we are called to help our community members facing chronic homeless. Housing is healing, and by supporting the First Step shelter, we hope to help restore peace and dignity to those in our community in need.”
Located on a 10-acre property on International Speedway Boulevard about five miles west of Interstate 95, the 15,820-square-foot facility officially opens to individuals in need on Dec. 16.
Hundreds of community members gathered on Dec. 11 for a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of the new facility.
AdventHealth, Halifax Health, and the Florida Blue Foundation have come together to jointly support a health ward at the First Step homeless shelter. The health unit will provide medical services within the scope of a registered nurse and will screen residents for health problems. The Stewart-Marchman-Act will also support the First Step homeless shelter and will have someone on site full-time to assess mental health and addiction issues.
After nearly a decade of planning, the $6 million First Step homeless shelter will help the homeless with everything from finding a permanent home to fighting addictions.
In the men’s dorm, there are 50 bunk beds. On the opposite side of the building, there are 12 bunk beds in the women’s dorm.
Catholic Charities of Central Florida will run the city-owned shelter that will gradually reach 40 residents next month.
Those who want to be in the First Step homeless shelter must be referred by a social service agency, hospital, church or law enforcement officer and must undergo a criminal background check.
To learn more, visit FirstStepShelter.org.
About AdventHealth Daytona Beach
AdventHealth Daytona Beach has 362-beds and is one of the six hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the AdventHealth Central Florida Division - North Region. Formerly known as Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, the organization’s parent company changed the name of all wholly-owned entities to AdventHealth on Jan. 2, 2019. Based in Altamonte Springs, AdventHealth is a connected system of care. With more than 80,000 team members, AdventHealth is one of the nation’s largest faith-based health care systems with nearly 50 hospitals and hundreds of care sites in nearly a dozen states. With the mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth Daytona Beach provides whole person care to heal the body, mind and spirit. For more information about AdventHealth Daytona Beach, visit AdventHealthDaytonaBeach.com.