Why We Exist:

There are many kinds of poverty- financial, spiritual, relational- just to name a few. Heart for Winter Haven exists to connect all sectors of our city (churches, businesses, non-profits and city leadership) to alleviate poverty, in all its forms. We do this by utilizing a comprehensive community development strategy that emphasizes strengthening families through employability, housing stability and emotional/mental health support, all surrounded by faith affirming initiatives.

The Problem:

The Non-Profit Community in Winter Haven is splintered, rendering us less effective and, in many ways, ineffective. Due to a lack of collaboration and unifying strategy among our organizations, people needing help often continue to suffer needlessly in poverty.

The Solution:

“Poverty is rooted in broken relationships, so the solution to poverty is rooted in the power of Jesus' death and resurrection to put all things in right relationship again.” (Fikkert)

Since 2014, Heart for Winter Haven has worked to strengthen relationships and encourage collaboration among the various sectors of our city. Some of the initiatives used in this effort include:

Jobs for Life: Working with area churches, businesses, non-profits (and even the Polk County Sheriff’s Department), unemployed and underemployed men and women are being equipped to find purposeful work and financial stability.

The Housing Partnership of Winter Haven: In partnership with The City of Winter Haven, the Winter Haven/Downtown CRA and area non-profits, families are being strengthened and provided help with eviction prevention and housing stability.

Emotional Wellness Counseling: Individuals are able to receive free and low-cost mental health counseling. In addition, by providing supervision to dozens of mental health interns at no cost, free counseling is also available at partner agencies.

Scholarship House: Collaborating with local businesses, non-profits and civic organizations on renovation efforts, we have developed a housing program for homeless college students in partnership with a local area church.

Our Invitation:

We believe God has called us to carry HIs image to marginalized people so that they too can experience life-transforming enrichment and restoration as fellow image bearers. You can join us to make a difference in our community by: making a general donation to Heart for Winter Haven, volunteering in one of our Jobs for Life courses and/or donating financial support or resources to sponsor a class, or offering housing/support for homeless families and students.

For more information about Heart for Winter Haven, visit us online at https://www.heart4wh.org/

H4WH "Be One! Community" 40 Days of Giving

By Heart for Winter Haven

H4WH "Be One! Community" 40 Days of Giving

Community Isn't canceled.