Team Homestead spreads cheer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jaimi L. Upthegrove
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Members of Team Homestead volunteered at the Chapman Partnership Homeless Assistance Center's Homestead location for the fourth consecutive year Dec. 25.

Over 50 members donated their time serving a Christmas meal, providing activities for children, and coordinating a visit from Santa to bring holiday cheer to the families currently residing in the center.

Many military members find satisfaction through volunteerism.

"I am a huge believer in giving back and helping out in the community and the world," said Master Sgt. Earlvine Fort, 482nd Force Support Squadron chief of force management. "I believe that the measure of a person's life is the affect they have on others."

According to their website, Chapman Partnership operates two Homeless Assistance Centers with 800 beds located in Miami and Homestead. They help the homeless by providing a comprehensive support program that includes emergency housing, meals, health, dental and psychiatric care, day care, job training, job placement and assistance with securing stable housing.

Since 1995, Chapman Partnership has had more than 100,000 admissions including 20,000 children in Miami-Dade County and a 64 percent success rate of moving people from homelessness to self-sufficiency.