Our Initiatives
The key to all success is action.
One Stop Cares is guiding resources towards events and activities that are most beneficial for the immediate needs of One Stop Housing residents and the local community. We partner with local businesses and organizations to provide residents with healthcare, rent support, educational programs, meals, employment services, household needs, and emotional support.
Your donations help support these initiatives and more!
Furnished Apartments for 5 New Residents at Palm Gardens Orlando Apartments
City leaders cut the ribbon on May 28, 2025 for the grand opening of the Palm Garden Orlando Apartments.
The 150-unit property features one-bedroom units. Five lucky new residents were randomly selected to receive a completely furnished apartment, all the way down to towels and plates.
Nathaniel Longston was one of those lucky residents. He stepped into his brand-new furnished apartment for the first time. The complex is the first place he’s had to call home in more than two years.
“It’s kind of been stressful,” Longston said. “I get VA pension, some of the money isn’t enough to afford the housing. A lot of the places want you to make three times the money.”
Annual Thanksgiving Event
We host an annual Thanksgiving Event aimed at bringing hope and support to families facing housing, employment, financial, and/or other social challenges in the Sarasota and Manatee County area. The most recent Thanksgiving Event took place on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
Click here for more details or watch this video!
Annual Holiday Toy Drive
Every year in December, One Stop Cares places Toy Drive collection boxes in local Sarasota and Manatee County businesses and restaurants to collect gifts. Help spread joy this holiday season by donating a gift to the One Stop Cares Toy Drive!
Home Furnishings
In collaboration with Embrace of Celebration and One Stop Housing, we surprised two families with furnishings in their new home at Backlot Apartments in Kissimmee, FL. The families had previously struggled through homelessness and losing most of their possessions. The apartments were professional decorated and we believe they came out BEAUTIFUL. We’d like to extend a warm welcome to our new residents and thank Embrace for their generous donation!
On-site Telemedicine Center
Through partnership with Osceola Community Health Services, an on-site telemedicine center was opened in One Stop Housing’s Backlot Apartments. The center offers Telehealth and Tele-Therapy services to residents and the surrounding community including primary care, behavioral health, pediatrics care, and more.
Free Tuesday Night Dinners
Team members of One Stop Cares partnered with Paradise Grills to distribute free Tuesday night dinners to our residents.