DeSoto County Homeless Coalition
Valerie Gilchrist DeSoto County Homeless Coalition Arcadia , Florida Women ' s History Month March 2017
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Valerie Gilchrist
DeSoto County Homeless Coalition
For I was an hungred , and ye gave me meat : I was thirsty , and ye gave me drink : I was a stranger , and ye took me in : Naked , and ye clothed me : I was sic k , and ye visited me : I was in prison , and ye came unto me . D
The DeSota County Homeless Coalition ( DCHC ) was established in February 2006 for the mission : " To prevent and end homelessness within DeSoto County ." Its Founder and President Valerie Gilchrist , a former State of Florida employee was compelled to create the organization after being laid-off from her job and unemployed forced to live on $ 850.00 a month of public assistance . Her personal struggles brought to life what so many experience every day in search of basic food and shelter. Valerie pledged to herself that if she was ever able one day to rise above her current existence , she would work to aid others who are hungry and homeless .
Valerie Gilchrist adopted as her life motto the scripture Matthew 25 : 31-46 ".... " For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat , I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink , I was a stranger and you invited me in , I needed clothes and you clothed me , I was sick and you looked after me , I was in prison and you came to visit me ,.. " The DeSota County Homeless Coalition vision is " To see homeless and potentially homeless individuals becoming productive citizens ."