Christian Service Center for the Homeless Campus Opening

Christian Service Center for the Homeless Campus Opening

Last updated on October 22, 2026

WHAT:
Taylon struggled to find stable housing after losing her job, as the uncertainty of where she would sleep each night made it difficult to rebuild her life. Through the Christian Service Center for the Homeless' 407 Connect Program, she found a safe, clean place to sleep and the support she needed to regain stability. With that foundation, Taylon secured another job and received help navigating applications for school and student housing. Today, she is focused on pursuing her degree in marine biology rather than worrying about where she will sleep that night. Her story illustrates why access to essential services, a safe place to meet basic needs and support toward long-term stability matter and why the Christian Service Center's campus renovation is so important.

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 5 City Commissioner Shan Rose will join Taylon, alongside City Commissioners and the City of Orlando's Community Redevelopment Agency at the Christian Service Center for the Homeless, for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate completion of their $7 million campus renovation, made possible with funds through the AccelerateOrlando initiative, Community Development Block Grant Program, and the city's Community Redevelopment Agency. Following the ribbon cutting, attendees will be able to tour the campus and get a first look at the newly completed renovations.

The City of Orlando's investment has supported the modernization of the Christian Service Center's existing facility into Orlando's first comprehensive day services campus, providing a robust "front door" for persons experiencing homelessness to enter into the system of care. These renovations include the expansion of access to restrooms, showers, clean clothing, mail service, medical and behavioral health care, pharmacy services and other essential resources that showcase dignity and open doors to new beginnings. More than 5,300 individuals have visited the Christian Service Center this year, with close to 1,000 adults and children moved into housing.

The city continues to work with regional partners on solutions to end homelessness. Since 1971, the Christian Service Center for the Homeless has been helping struggling individuals and families find immediate relief and achieve long-term stability, by providing services that are accessible, coordinated and grounded in dignity.

WHEN:
Thursday, October 22, 2026
10 a.m.

WHERE:
The Christian Service Center for the Homeless
808 West Central Boulevard

WHO:
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
District 5 City Commissioner Shan Rose
District 3 City Commissioner Emeritus Robert F. Stuart
Carla Cox, The Christian Service Center for the Homeless, Chief Executive Officer
Eric Gray, The Christian Service Center for the Homeless, President
Taylon, Program Participant

MEDIA INFORMATION:
Media are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 a.m. for set up. Media parking will be reserved on-street, on the north side of Central Boulevard, east of Westmoreland Drive.

BACKGROUND:
The City of Orlando received approximately $58 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the federal government. Using the ARPA allocation to fund essential government services allowed the city to leverage general revenues to create the Accelerate Orlandoinitiative, and use this once-in-a-generation investment opportunity to accelerate our efforts to combat homelessness, increase and preserve affordable housing, and improve our community.

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