what we do
The mission of the Clara White Mission is to prevent and reduce homelessness thorough advocacy, housing, job training and employment, working in partnership with the community. Our programs are all united in our goal to assist at-risk individuals return to dignity and productivity.
daily feeding
The Clara White Mission’s “soup kitchen” service provides hot meals to the general homeless population seven days a week. Breakfast is served seven (7) days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. The program serves 400-500 persons daily. Volunteers assist with serving our daily meals.
In accordance with federal law and U. S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20290-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal-opportunity provider and employer.
Skip-a-Meal
At the Clara White Mission, we believe that those in need have a claim on all of us for our kindness and compassion. With our wide variety of programs, the Mission depends on the generous support of people like you, people whose hearts go out to those less fortunate. Please support our efforts in any way you can.
Operating the Clara White Mission takes approximately a half-million dollar per year. We depend on you for much of that funding. And it goes toward helping those in need to achieve valuable, productive lives when they have nowhere else to turn. We ask you to look into your heart and help us restore dignity to the lives of so many in need.
Your commitment of a pledge and or a one-time gift, will allow the Clara White Mission an opportunity to continue our tradition of service
23 meals
500 meals
33 meals
1,200 meals
166 meals
1,600 meals
VETERANS HOUSING
To continue our rich legacy of service, the Clara White Mission depends on those caring and generous enough to help us achieve our goals.
Job Training
The Clara White Mission’s one-stop community-development center restores and builds lives through our job training, employment placement, housing initiatives and more. Our 20-week Culinary and Janitorial curricula are designed to offer students an opportunity to practice their skills in an environment that will prepare them for a career in these industries. Our programs were developed for men and women 18 years of age and older with a priority focus on veterans.
The program curricula are based on a prototype developed for Clara White Training Center. The training program is certified by the Florida Department Commission of Independent Education.
Diploma in Culinary Arts
20 Weeks – 600 Clock Hours
Combining intensive hands-on production with lectures to reinforce kitchen learning, this program provides students with a broad range of culinary experiences. Graduates will be able to secure entry to mid-level employment in the food service/hospitality industry. The program introduces students to the history of cooking and services, basic food preparation, menu development and culinary math. Students will learn commercial cooking and service, front and back of the house skills through catering, special events and restaurant operations.
Janitorial Program
The Clara White Mission Culinary Arts / Janitorial-Environmental Program provides students with a broad range of educational experiences, combining intensive hands-on job training, with classroom instruction to reinforce learning. Upon completion of program, graduates have the necessary skills to secure entry to mid-level employment. Curriculum for both vocational training tracks has been certified by the State of Florida Commission of Independent Education.
Diploma in Janitorial Services
20 Weeks – 600 Clock Hours, plus internship
Combining theory training for job knowledge with hands-on training that complements the learned theory with skill adeptness, this program builds skills that are necessary for advancement in the profession. The 460 hour janitorial training program will provide comprehensive instructions in commercial cleaning, academic and practicum aspects, in addition to providing customer relations and management skill development.
Housing
Few things mean more to homeless individuals than a clean, welcoming place to live while restoring their lives. The Clara White Mission provides that housing while working to move participants to permanent housing and independent living within 24 months. Our transitional housing and on-site Drop-In Day Center are facilities focused on providing resources to assist homeless, low-income veterans in need.
The goal of the Clara White Mission’s transitional housing program is to move homeless participants to permanent housing and independent living within 24 months. Priority is given to veterans; maintaining a residency rate of 75% veterans.
Residents are required to:
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Be employed and/or currently enrolled in school.
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Participate in case-management and life-skills classes.
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Complete a mental-health assessment and engage in mental-health counseling as indicated.
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Complete a health assessment with the nurse.
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Maintain sobriety and participate in substance-abuse education classes and support groups, as required.
Our transitional/permanent housing program provides housing for 36 veterans, male residents on-site and coordinates off-campus housing for our female students. During fiscal year 2006-07, 85 people were housed, with one percent remaining in housing for less than one month. Twenty percent were with us from one-to-two months, 51% from three-to-six months, 17% from seven-to-twelve months, and 11% were enrolled for more than 13 months.