The Coalition to End Homelessness has taken another huge step in the fight to End Homelessness with the introduction of Community Voice Mail. Launched in July 2008 to serve people in crisis and transition in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area Community Voice Mail is a free, reliable, voice mail service.

The mail boxes allow the user to have a private phone number that connects to a voice mail service which allows them to receive confidential messages 24 hours a day. Community Voice Mail partners with thousands of agencies across the U.S. to serve the homeless, domestic violence victims, veterans, the unemployed, foster youth, and disaster victims.

To qualify for the service applicants must only have a need to communicate and be low-income, homeless, in crisis or in transition. Eligibility is determined by each agency managing an allocated block of numbers and applicants can only get numbers from a participating agency.

The Coalition to End Homelessness is confronting the homelessness situation at every turn. In this era of instant communications, having a phone number, something most of us take for granted, can be the key to survival and self-sufficiency for people in crisis or transition. This innovative program will empower the homeless residents and improve their ability to conduct the business of their lives.

Community Voice Mail is a National Program that has proven effectiveness for over 16 years by helping over 41,000 people annually reclaim their lives. Ms. Ginny a former Seattle homeless woman said it best… “Since I got CVM everything changed. Everything became possible. I was able to find work and find a home. It gave me a new start on life.”

With 44 sites nationally and growing CVM is an incredible tool for empowering the homeless throughout the country. Now we are very excited about providing this program to the residents of Ft. Lauderdale.

Being homeless entails so many disadvantages -- and for years this community has responded with shelters, meals and counseling. These efforts are essential and compassionate. The homeless men and women need one more piece of the puzzle to get them connected -- a phone number to give somebody for a call back. It has hurt their self esteem and often meant missed opportunities in the past -- now they have that phone number!

This program has the potential to extend to the entire South Florida region with support of our great community. For agency participation and or financial support please contact Gerald Peterkin, Program Director for CVM.at the following contact information. gpeterkin@help4homeless.org Phone: 954-792-4000