Each year, on June 23, we celebrate United Nations Public Service Day. It is a day to recognize the value and virtue of public service to the community. Public services are for everyone in the community, and many organizations provide them. So today, we would like to applaud the public servants who help people obtain social services. Although the system has its flaws, they try their best to help people receive the benefits they need to live a dignified life.

Social services are services and actions aimed at improving all citizens’ social welfare through information, care, and support of vulnerable individuals and groups. These services should be accessible to everyone who needs them, yet they are not, and if they are, the process has so many hurdles that many feel helpless and wonder: Why bother?

Hope CommUnity Center has devoted much of its 50 years to providing assistance and information to help families through the Social Services application process. Whether you need assistance gathering documents or guidance obtaining the benefits you deserve to feel safe and protected, we are here to help.

Our Social Services program is here to assist you or someone you know who may need to gain access to these services. We offer the following services: Public Health Assistance such as Health Clinic referral letters, Medicaid and Food Stamp information, and food distribution to the community.

The Orange County Social Service Department, located in Orlando, FL, is a public organization that provides social services to its citizens. One of the many services they help the community apply for is the Florida Food Assistance Program or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program aims to give low-income households access to a healthy diet, food benefits, food preparation and nutrition education. To purchase qualified foods in licensed retail food establishments, recipients utilize a credit card that functions as an ATM card.

To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a Florida resident and meet one of the following criteria: You currently have less than $2,001 in checking and savings, or have less than $3,001 in checking and savings, and live with one of the following individuals: a person or people who are 60 years of age or older, a handicapped individual (child, spouse, parent, or yourself). Many programs provide help to families who could be eligible under other local standards. At Hope, we can guide you through the application process and assist you in filling out all the necessary paperwork.

At Hope Community Center, we can also provide you with Health Clinic referral letters if you need them.

We Hope to make Social Services available to everyone in need.

If you would like to learn more about our Social Services Program and how we can assist you, please visit our website and don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to continuing to serve our community in the coming years. To MÁS!