Community Partner Spotlight: Immokalee Friendship House
The Immokalee Friendship House was founded in 1987 by a group of caring community leaders. While working in the area, they noticed that many men, women, and children, most hard-working migrants, had no place to sleep at night. To address the lack of housing in this farming community of 25,000, the Immokalee Friendship House was created.
Immokalee Friendship House provides shelter to over 1,000 people and feeds over 25,000 meals yearly. Ana Estrella, Director of Immokalee Friendship House, and her team do a lot of outreach in the community with meal assistance, hygiene, bikes, and backpacks.
Upon arrival, each Immokalee Friendship House resident’s needs are assessed, and in-house assistance and referrals are coordinated. Warm showers and hot meals are made immediately available. The shelter provides three meals a day, including a bag lunch to take to work or while job prospecting. In the evening, clothes are washed, chores are done, and social services such as AA meetings, support groups, and case management are available. To help guide residents toward independence, staff assists with job interview preparedness, referrals, and finding affordable housing.
IFHA is working closely with the organization as a community partner on our shared vision for Immokalee. “We can transform Immokalee in such a big way,” shares Steve Brooder, CEO. “We want to be a connector in the community to IFHA with the folks we see at Immokalee Friendship House. By partnering together, we have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the community.”
With 44 beds in Immokalee Friendship House, “we have a waiting list of families needing housing,” states Ray Steadman, VP of Programs. “By being able to share referrals and resources with IFHA will benefit all.”
The Immokalee Friendship House is managed by St. Matthew’s House, a Christian ministry that oversees 19 other facilities. Guided by the Scriptures, St. Matthew’s House is “inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training, in righteousness; so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NRSV). As a faith-based organization, they affirm the call of God to all people “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” to participate in the compassion and care of St. Matthew’s. The Immokalee Friendship House is located at 602 West Main Street in Immokalee.