Pathways Drop-In Center Rebuilds after Fire to Better Serve Homeless Living with Mental Illness Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Law Enforcement Leaders Celebrate Opening
Orange County, FL – On Nov. 30, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, along with local law enforcement leaders including Orlando Police Chief John Mina, Orange County Chief of Corrections Cornita A. Riley, Orange County Sheriff’s Office Major Denise Demps and University of Central Florida Police Deputy Chief Carl Metzger will join officials with Pathways Drop-In Center as they reopen a portion of the facility that was destroyed in a 2013 fire.
The rebuild was made possible through the support of an $80,000 Orange County Government Community Development Block Grant along with the partnership of a number of community businesses who donated their expertise and services. The expansion of the facility will ensure that more individuals will have access to the services offered by Pathways, including handicap accessible facilities.
Pathways Drop-In Center serves a very vulnerable population, individuals living with mental illness, experiencing homelessness. The program operates in partnership with National Alliance for Mental Illness as well as Orange County Government. Pathways serves approximately 45-50 individuals daily. Not a homeless shelter, Pathways provides a safe haven for individuals to gather on a daily basis and have access to ensure their basic needs are met, including mental health services and other critical social service support networks.
Pathways’ mission has helped develop a strong community network comprised of multiple law enforcement agencies, the Orange County Jail and mental health providers to ensure that individuals experiencing a mental health crisis are connected with help, as an alternative to incarceration or being placed under arrest when appropriate. Since, 2000, more than, 2,253 local correctional and law enforcement officers have voluntarily completed crisis intervention training, which helps them better identify, understand and respond to the needs of an individual in crisis should they encounter someone in need of assistance.
WHERE: Pathways Drop-In Center
1313 30th Street, Orlando, Fl.
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
WHO: Pathways Drop-In Center
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs
Orange County Chief of Corrections Cornita A. Riley
Orlando Police Chief John Mina
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Major Denise Demps
University of Central Florida Police Deputy Chief Carl Metzger
About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.