Our Services

Since 1986, The Sharing Center has worked to prevent homelessness in Seminole County by helping children & families with critical needs during financial emergencies caused by job loss and health problems.

A lack of affordable housing has helped the homeless rate to increase as the jobless rate doubles, and people lose their savings and even their homes. Five-year-old Kayla was among the earlier victims of the recession. She did end up in a tent in the woods with her Mom and Dad for several miserable, scary weeks last winter before The Sharing Center learned about the family and put them in a low-budget motel while helping them find permanent housing and new jobs. Disabilities Caseworker Maritza Delfi said

I had such a knot in my throat watching Kayla run around the motel suite, shouting 'Look! I have a bed to sleep in again! We have a kitchen again, and there's a bathroom!

How We Help

Assistance is given free of charge and may include food, clothing, help with costs of basic needs for rent/mortgage, transportation, bus tokens, costs of prescriptions and other medical issues, utilities, household goods, and other items specific to individual needs. Food pantries and casework offices are located in Longwood and in Sanford.

Special Assistance Programs

MedNet Navigator - helps children & adults to get life-saving prescription medicines at low-cost or no cost.

Health Navigator - helps children & adults to find a medical "home," a primary care physician or specialist. This lessens the burden on local hospital emergency rooms and clinics being used as primary care facilities by uninsured or under-insured people.

Disabilities Casework - helps disabled adults to gain therapy and skills to be employed again or to find appopriate housing to accommodate their disabilities.

New Shoes for Kids - program provides new shoes, socks and underwear to children in need. Our Fox Trot Walk-a-Thon Sept. 26 will designate a portion of the proceeds directly to the Kids Shoes program.

One-Stop Non-Profit Hub - The Sharing Center is transforming its 37,804 sq. ft. plaza in Longwood into a one-stop non-profit hub where people find help with a variety of needs in one location as The Sharing Center adds additional services and welcomes other non-profits to the plaza.