Homeless Empowerment Program Partners With Police To Mentor Families

CLEARWATER, FL — In an effort to strengthen the community, the Clearwater Police Department has joined forces with the Homeless Empowerment Program for an eight-week-long mentorship program, working with a dozen families residing on HEP's campus.

The weekly sessions began Jan. 12 and will end Wednesday, March 1.

"We are excited for the opportunity to build upon our relationship with the Clearwater Police Department, and this mentorship program will provide the young boys and girls in our shelter with a unique opportunity to flourish and grow within their own community while having fun in the process," said AshleyLowery, president and CEO of HEP. "A program like this will not only help educate everyone involved but will help form long-lasting, positive bonds between the officers, parents and children involved."

The goal of the program is to provide the children on HEP's campus with support and guidance as well as strengthen the relationship between the community and the police. Police officers will engage the children in HEP's Family Program with a new learning session each week, covering topics such as good and bad decision-making, career day, team building and an education/tutoring day.

Each session will focus on improving life skills and exposing them to opportunities for their future and developmental growth.

"Community engagement is part of the fabric of what we do as police officers, and this partnership with the Homeless Empowerment Program allows us to have fun with some children experiencing the challenges of homelessness," said Clearwater Police Chief Dan Slaughter. "We've noticed that our officers have as much fun as the kids and get just as much, if not more, out of the program."

HEP's Family Program provides emergency, transitional and permanent housing as well as critical support services to the children and families living at HEP.

Last year HEP served 41 families and 103 children.

Founded in 1986, HEP offers an integrated solution to the issue of homelessness by providing low-income families and individuals, including veterans, with housing, food, clothing and support services necessary to obtain self-sufficiency and improved quality of life.

As part of its mission, HEP operates a 353-bed facility, offering emergency, transitional and permanent housing to temporarily homeless and mentally disabled individuals, families with children and veterans.