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Every human being needs a
home, but many here in Paradise are without one.
 On
any given day, about 3200 men, women, and children in Monroe
County are homeless, living and sleeping in the street, the mangroves,
vehicles, derelict vessels, or other inappropriate and dangerous
places.
Most of them lack not
only housing but social services, adequate nutrition, medical attention, and personal
hygiene facilities. They are individuals and families at risk.
Fortunately, there is
help.
The Florida Keys
Outreach Coalition offers hope and solutions. Incorporated with
non-profit status in 1992. FKOC provides homeless outreach and
shelter with essential supportive services in Monroe County, Florida.
We offer a
solution-oriented, multi-stage program based on self-sufficiency,
stability, and opportunity.
Please explore this site and
learn more about FKOC. Your knowledge, understanding, and participation, are essential to our continued success.
Stephen E. Braddock, Ph.D.
President & Executive Director
Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq.
Board Chair
August 20,2010
Hate Crimes Against the Homeless: America's Growing Tide of Violence
Hate Crimes Against the Homeless: America's Growing Tide of Violence is a shocking report on the growth of biased motivated crimes of hate against America's homeless. The National Coalition for the Homeless' report marks the beginning of its second decade tracking, interviewing and classifying thousands of individuals impacted by homeless hate crimes.
This year's report has the horrifying distinction of being the deadliest, at 43 recorded homicides. The research contained in this report chronicles more than a thousand separate attacks across the US, representing a fraction of the total hate crimes that remain drastically under-reported.
Individuals who commit homeless hate crimes are motivated by a bias that another individual is or may be homeless. Perpetrators often give account to feelings of hostlity and animosity, towards the visibly homeless, so strong they demand action. While others describe a generalized hatred, passed down from one generation to the next, resulting in a growing epidemic of violence across America.
Documented hate crimes in this report involve: dowsing with gasoline and setting aflame; rape in exchange for shelter; spray painting and stomping upon while sleeping; and, repeated incidence of gang initiations involving stabbings and beatings. "On behalf of any every victim of biased motivated crime, we must remain committed to the cause of justice, honest stewards of truth and capable recorders of the endless narratives of hate.", said Neil Donovan, NCH Excutive Director.
Unhoused individuals, as a target of hate, have consistently grown over the past decade. This year's report draws an especially gruesome and disturbing trend in the frequency and manner of the offences. Violent, often fatal, attacks on homeless Americans now outnumber all other categories of hate crimes combined.
The National Coalition for the Homeless has successfully advanced its legislative agenda on hate crimes, both at the state and federal levels. Our objective is to place the responsibility of tracking statistics on hate crimes against the homeless into the hands of local and national law enforcement. Our goal is to further legitimate our analysis and quantify the growing epidemic of violence against the homeless, ultimately resulting in sufficient resources to solve the problem and create the solutions.
Download the full report at:
www.nationalhomeless.org
Publix Supports Florida Keys Outreach Coalition
(photo by Chris Welts)
Publix Key West Store Manager, Kevin Piper, presents a $5,000 check on behalf of Publix Supermarket Charities to FKOC Deputy Director Gina Pecora. Publix has supported the Coalition's Transitional Housing Program for ten consecutive years.
Huffington Post: April 28th, 2010
As Homeless Are Brutalized, Florida Passes Hate Crime Protection
MCC Receives Humanitarian Award
Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) was recently awarded the Capt'n Kidd Humanitarian of the Year Award by the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition (FKOC) and Key West Film Society.
The award is sponsored annually by Legacy Films, producers of the movie Have You Seen Clem? The late Capt'n Edward Kidd, a homeless man, is prominently featured in the film,- much of which was filmed in Key West. Kidd was a popular radio personality on the Bill Hoebee Show and well known for his humanitarianism and efforts to help other homeless people in need.
Previous recipients include the Rev. Stephen Braddock, Elmira Leto, Diana Flenard, and Ginger King. The congregation of MCC was selected in recognition of their ministries to the hungry, homeless, elderly, and homebound.
The award was presented during the FKOC's 18th anniversary celebration.
To learn more, visit www.seeclem.com
(L-R) FKOC Chairman, Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq.; MCC Pastor, Rev./Dr. Joe McMurray; FKOC President & CEO, Rev./Dr. Stephen E. Braddock; and MCC's Eric Cole
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Hate crime law may include homeless
February 2010
UNITED WAY CHIEF VISITS HOMELESS COALITION
Margie Smith, newly appointed President of United Way of the Florida Keys, recently visited Rev. Stephen Braddock, President of the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition. Smith toured FKOC's six facilities and was especially pleased to see the newly renovated Children's Activity Center, a program for homeless children which was enthusiastically supported by the United Way Board of Directors. The coalition operates six facilities for homeless individuals and families.
FKOC PROGRAM MANAGER HONORED
FKOC's Stephanie Kaple (C) was recently honored for her service to the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League
Kaple manages FKOC's transitional housing program for women and children.
She is pictured here with SHAL Board Chair, RaiEtte Avael; and FKOC President, Rev. Stephen E. Braddock.
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Homeless Shelters
Save Green by Going Green
HOMELESS REMEMBERED
 Rev. Thomas Sterner (L) and Rev. Stephen Braddock (R) officiate at a December 21st memorial service for 59 individuals who died homeless and indigent in the Florida Keys in 2009, including two children.
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