Leah Stockton, Director of Development and Engagement for AH Monroe County, and Billy Davis, founder and Executive Director of A Positive Step of Monroe County, walk through an area of Poinciana Plaza apartments in Key West. AH Monroe and APSMC have recently partnered to facilitate housing solutions at Poinciana Plaza on behalf APSMC Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative program participants. (Photo: Carol Tedesco)
Founded in 1999 by social activist and Key West resident Billy Davis to serve Monroe County’s highest risk kids and their families, A Positive Step of Monroe County is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Its Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative was designed to support and guide men, including incarcerated ones, in developing better parent, co-parent and child relationship skills, along with providing anger management, health, and substance abuse awareness training.
“Dads who sign up for our cost-free program come from all manner of backgrounds,” said Davis. “What they have in common is the motivation to become better parents, and that, in its most essential sense, means being able to provide the basics, such as food and shelter. But here in the Florida Keys, housing has become a nearly insurmountable problem for many. It’s well known that we have a large number of working homeless here, because of what it takes to amass the funds needed to move into a house or apartment, which typically means paying first, last and security deposit up front.”
Davis described how a conversation with AH of Monroe County Executive Director Scott Pridgen opened the door to secure housing access for some of his clients. “APSMC recently received additional funding from the Florida Department of Children and Families, which we’d earmarked for finding and securing work-force housing for some of our Fatherhood program dads. As I did the research, I was surprised to learn about the scope of AH Monroe’s affordable housing initiatives, which is substantial. I called Scott, we met, saw the opportunity for collaboration and to began to formulate a plan.”
“AH of Monroe County was actually founded nearly four decades ago as AIDS Help,” commented Leah Stockton, the organization’s recently enlisted Director of Development and Engagement, “but as the needs of our community changed and evolved, so did we. Today, AH Monroe continues to support individuals affected by HIV and AIDS through AH Health, while also taking on new challenges. Recognizing the connection between health and housing, AH Monroe is also dedicated to addressing homelessness and creating affordable housing solutions through AH Housing,” she said.
Currently AH Monroe’s housing programs provide 144 transitional beds for those experiencing homelessness and 225 permanent supportive housing units, ensuring that more than 365 people have a safe place to sleep each night.
What this particular partnership means is AH of Monroe County can help APSMC secure housing for some of its Southernmost Fathership Initiative participants.
The partnership kicked off on Feb. 17, and has already resulted in secure housing situations at Poinciana Plaza for two SFI program dads and their children. Of the two, one of the parents has steady employment. “The other currently does not, but has skills and we’re now assisting in helping him secure employment,” Davis said, further explaining that the SFI program also provides support to its participants in the form of introduction to OSHA training, job coaching, construction job referrals, as well as GED referrals and 12-step programs if needed.
“A Positive Step of Monroe County is one of many partners AH of Monroe County works closely with, which creates a stronger community network for those we serve,” said Pridgen.
“When we work together,” commented Davis, “we all do better.”
The Southernmost Fatherhood Initiative is funded by the Monroe County Human Services Advisory Board with additional funding from the Florida Department of Children and Families. To learn more about A Positive Step of Monroe County and its programs, visit www.apsmc.org or contact Billy Davis at 305-304-1969 or APSMCCRP@aol.com.
To learn more about AH of Monroe County and its programs, visit www.ahmonroe.org or contact Leah Stockton at 305-296-6196 or Leah.Stockton@AHMonroe.org.
About AH Monroe
AH Monroe provides health, housing, and hope to the Florida Keys community through HIV care and prevention services, transitional and permanent housing programs, and community support initiatives. The organization is committed to addressing the diverse needs of Keys residents and creating pathways to stability and independence.
Press Contact:
Leah Stockton
Director of Development and Engagement
AH Monroe
Phone: (305) 906-2843
Email: leah.stockton@ahmonroe.org
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