Local motels step up to offer rooms to those in need
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Kissimmee Mayor Olga Gonzalez was able to work with the Unno Boutique Hotel on East U.S. Highway 192 to help house some people who were homeless. NEWS-GAZETTE PHOTO /BRIAN MCBRIDE -
Olga Gonzalez
Helping the homeless is near and dear to Kissimmee Mayor Olga Gonzalez’s heart and that is just what she did when a cold front came to Kissimmee last month.
She was able to house more than 75 homeless people in the local Unno Boutique hotel where they could get a warm shower and some much needed basic supplies.
“I knew that cold nights were coming and I felt in my heart I needed to do more,” said Gonzalez, who started the Church and Community Assistance Program. “It was a team effort. It was awesome. At the moment, hotels are losing money so this was a win, win situation.”
The first time they had 25 homeless and the second time was 56 people. They were also given backpacks with snacks and hygiene products.
Hotel owner Oscar Segura said he was happy to help.
“I believed in the mayor and I felt the need to help those that needed help,” he said.
And he looks forward to helping more in the future.
In 2020, the tri-county area had 416 homeless with 264 of them having children to care for. There are 192 now in supportive housing, said Gonzalez.
“It would be great to use more hotels. We need to give people the option to get back on their feet. We can bring back life and love,” she said.
Gonzalez’s pastor Wade Mumm, with Greeneway Church in Hunter’s Creek, wanted to assist with the endeavor.
“We put our heads together and we helped pay for some rooms,” he said. “It’s important to help individuals. They are humans.”
Over the years, church volunteers have helped donate food to those in need by partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
Gonzalez knows first-hand what it’s like to be in need. There was a time in her life when she lost her job and her apartment.
“I had nowhere to go with three children,” she said, getting emotional. “I experienced it. I know the pain, but I met God and He changed my life.”
Now she is extremely dedicated to assisting others. She feels like her position as mayor can help her meet people who can provide help.
“It would be great to use more hotels,” she said. I feel something big is coming.”
She is working with her pastor and the city on possible concepts to further aid the homeless community.
“There are a lot of churches and non profits trying to help,” Gonzalez said. “COVID has affected (the help that is available) but we are still working with (the homeless).
It’s not about a hand out, it’s about giving them a hand up.”
