Two long-time local organizations, AH of Monroe County and A Positive Step of Monroe County, each dedicated to supporting the well-being of at-risk individuals, children and families, have recently partnered to strengthen their collective impact in the community. They are finding housing solutions on behalf of local men who are participants in APSMC’s Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative.
Founded in 1999 by social activist and Key West resident Billy Davis to serve Monroe County’s highest-risk kids and their families, A Positive Step of Monroe County is a nonprofit that offers a Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative designed to support and guide men, including incarcerated ones, to become better parents and co-parents and to improve their relationship skills. The initiative also provides anger management, health and substance abuse awareness training.
“Dads who sign up for our free program come from all backgrounds,” said Davis. “What they have in common is the motivation to become better parents, and that, in its most essential sense, means being able to provide the basics, such as food and shelter. But here in the Florida Keys, housing has become a nearly insurmountable problem for many. It’s well known that we have a large number of working homeless here, because of what it takes to amass the funds needed to move into a house or apartment, which typically means paying first, last and security deposit up front.”
A recent conversation between Davis and Scott Pridgen, executive director of AH Monroe, opened the door to a new apartment for some of Davis’s fatherhood clients.
“A Positive Step recently received funding from the Florida Department of Children and Families, which we’d earmarked for finding and securing workforce housing for some of our Fatherhood program dads. As I did the research, I was surprised to learn the scope of AH Monroe’s affordable housing initiatives, which is substantial. I called Scott, we met, saw the opportunity for collaboration and began to formulate a plan.”
AH Monroe was founded nearly 40 years ago as AIDS Help, but as the needs of the community changed, so did the nonprofit’s mission. Today, AH Monroe continues to support individuals affected by HIV and AIDS through AH Health. But recognizing the connection between health and housing, AH Monroe is also dedicated to addressing homelessness and creating affordable housing solutions through AH Housing, said Leah Stockton, AH Monroe’s new director of development and engagement.
AH Monroe’s housing programs provide 144 transitional beds for those experiencing homelessness and 225 permanent supportive housing units, ensuring that more than 365 people have a safe place to sleep each night.
The partnership between AH Monroe and A Positive Step’s Fatherhood Initiative means AH Monroe can help secure housing for some Southernmost Fathership Initiative participants.
The partnership kicked off on Feb. 17, and has already resulted in housing at Poinciana Plaza for two Fatherhood Initiative dads and their children. Of the two, one of the parents has steady employment. “The other currently does not, but has skills and we’re now helping him secure employment,” Davis said, adding that the fatherhood program also provides introduction to OSHA training, job coaching, construction job referrals, as well as GED referrals and 12-step programs if needed.
“A Positive Step of Monroe County is one of many partners AH Monroe works closely with, which creates a stronger community network for those we serve,” said Pridgen.
“When we work together,” commented Davis, “we all do better.”
The Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative is funded by the Monroe County Human Services Advisory Board with additional funding from the Florida Department of Children and Families. More information is at apsmc.org or from Davis at 305-304-1969 or apsmccrp@aol.com.
More information about AH of Monroe County is at ahmonroe.org or from Stockton at 305-296-6196 or leah.stockton@ahmonroe.org.
