ORLANDO, Fla. — A couple experiencing homelessness is now spending Thanksgiving in their first permanent home in nearly a decade.
What You Need To Know
Willie and Jean Collins were homeless for eight years before they found the Christian Service Center’s 407 Connect program
The program is a collaboration with the city of Orlando to combat homelessness
Each bus has 21 beds, storage, a restroom, and access to resources through the Christian Service Center
Willie Collins and his wife Jean Collins spent eight years living in hotels. They moved into an apartment unit early November after spending 40 nights sleeping on a bus overnight through the 407 Connect Program.
The couple says they wanted to find a solution that allows them to stay together since Jean Collins has mobility issues. Those spending the night have access to storage, a restroom, and resources through the Christian Service Center.
“It was also a weight off our shoulders because then we didn’t really have to decide between being somewhere safe and together, or out on the street,” said Jean Collins.
The program is a joint effort between the city of Orlando and the Christian Service Center, where leaders say that since launching in August, they’re starting to see more long-term success stories.
Director of Operations Carla Cox says the team has seen between 30 to 35 unique individuals who have stayed on the bus since the beginning. Six or seven of them have moved into housing already.
“You never usually see success this early. You might see glimmers of it or see some hopeful moments, but to see a family like the Collins’ and see how much joy and peace are coming back into their lives because they got this hand-up through a few nights, a few weeks in a shelter,” said Cox.
The couple says the program was challenging, but fun — making friends and celebrating their birthdays onboard before moving into their home. The two of them appreciate the help they received from their case manager.
“It’s a family. They kind of guide you along, keep it in bounds like that, as long as you have a good attitude, good behavior and stuff like that, it’s no problem. No problem at all,” said Willie Collins.
In August, Spectrum News 13 reported the 407 Connect program costs about a million dollars a year. Two-thirds of the budget is allotted for operations, and the rest is for people to get into permanent housing.
“Some of the people now that’s out there on the street, homeless, I really feel sorry for them because now homelessness is a crime. You get caught in the wrong area, they can put you in jail. You’d be harassed and everything. It’s crazy so for us, it was a definite blessing,” said Willie Collins.
Together for 33 years, Willie and Jean Collins are filling their space with love, laughter, and optimism for what is a new chapter in their lives.
“I think about the friends and family (who) will get to be able to come over once everything is established and how we’ll be able to hang out and really talk and be comfortable in ways that we couldn’t before,” said Jean Collins.
407 Connect includes two buses, but only one is operational right now. Christian Service Center staff say they plan on using the second bus once they figure out minor mechanical issues you learn through experience, likely next year.
Once the bus is ready to hit the streets, it will double the beds from 21 to 42.