Florida Nonprofit Helps Homeless, Earns 309 Reviews and Five-Star Rating
Amid the woods and swamps of rural Citrus Country, Fla., The Mission in Citrus—a small nonprofit offering homeless shelters and services—has garnered a whopping 309 reviews on GreatNonprofits. Despite the fact that it operates on a shoestring budget, the Mission in Citrus also receives an average rating of five stars (the h
ighest rating possible). We inquired with its founder, Pastor James Sleighter, to learn more about how the Mission in Citrus earns such high marks from those it serves.
“The Mission is more like a family instead of a shelter,” explains Sleighter. “When we ask clients after a few weeks, they gladly do the reviews. Clients who depart often leave reviews. No one is forced. We would actually have even more reviews, but we forget about the [GreatNonprofits] page at times. “
Perhaps most important in gaining loyalty from his clients, Sleighter offers the perspective of one who has walked in their shoes. Homeless himself at ages 12 and 45, Sleighter was also a ward of the state of Pennsylvania until age 21. He survived foster care, group homes, detention centers and adult prison, which he broke out of at age 13.. Nevertheless, he explains, he eventually went on to own several businesses and real estate, but divorce and medical bills from a thoracic aneurysm left him nearly destitute. He then decided to open his first homeless shelter, based on what he describes as a calling from God, and he hasn’t looked back since. God gave me my life. I gave Him the rest of mine. Sleighter began by opening a shelter for men in 2008, followed shortly thereafter by a women’s shelter. In 2010, they operated a tent city with over 100 people. Today. The tents are all gone and have been replaced by structural shelters. He introduced a shelter for homeless veterans in 2010, and then launched a family shelter in 2011. With all three shelters situated in Citrus County, Fla., about a two-hour drive from Tampa/St. Petersburg, Sleighter named the entire operation “Mission in Citrus.” He estimates it has helped launch 3,000 people toward self-sufficiency since its inception. Many forget that there is a mission in everyone's back yard. Not just other countries. America is becoming just like those we help outside the US.
“No one gets paid here, besides a contracted caseworker and office coordinator to do data entry. and I run three shelters by myself with the homeless who help me and help each other,” explains Sleighter. “So far in 2016, we have had over 16,500 bed nights, served over 55,000 meals, and handed out over $900,000 worth of yard sale items on a budget of less than $300,000. “ I am very proud of the homeless. No one thought it would work. But.We have proven that when given the proper resources,the homeless can help themselves. We are also very thankful to have such good Board members who care about the homeless and are community leaders. That does not count going into the woods, where Sleighter and his team have delivered over 2200 meals, as well as dozens of tents and sleeping bags, through his new program Veterans Operation Mercy Call. Sleighter states, “ We now have a new RV, thanks to the Walmart Foundation, to reach veterans anywhere.”
Some of the veterans whom Mission in Citrus assists are simply passing through the area. The Mission finds that many veterans roam the country searching for jobs and a place to call home. They are offered more than just a place to sleep. Residents can find employment services, laundry, meals, showers, and access to medical care. Those wishing to remain outdoors are helped through the outreach program. Sleighter points out that at all of Mission in Citrus’s shelters, the homeless residents devised the house rules. Certain felons are not accepted, but addicts are admitted if they are willing to get clean. Residents make themselves available for paid odd jobs within the community, but fundraisers, private donations and gifts from a few generous big-box retailers help keep the Mission afloat. In addition to managing Mission in Citrus’s day-to-day operations, Sleighter continues to spread the word about the help it offers. When time permits, he places client reviews on Mission in Citrus’s website, its page, and its newsletters, in hopes of attracting new people who may need help. Visitors to the website will find a link to GreatNonprofits.org, where they can peruse all 309 reviews. “More people need to use GreatNonprofits to find out if an organization is truly helping others,” explains Sleighter. “It is a place where no one can buy reviews, and people can write how they really feel about an organization.”
Readers can check out Mission in Citrus’s inspiring reviews on GreatNonprofits here: http://greatnonprofits.org/org/mission-in-citrus-inc
