Overcoming Homelessness

Homelessness steals a person’s sense of security and self-worth. It erodes their spirit of hope in the future.

Metropolitan Ministries’ residential program Uplift U® is a place where homeless families and single women can find answers to help renew their hope and rebuild their spirit as they journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

Aimed at dealing with the issues of poverty and homelessness by focusing on the needs of each individual situation, Uplift U® is made up of eight broad components blended together to help each family and person reach their best level of self-sufficiency. There are no fees for any of the services offered by the Ministries.

Education & Literacy

• PromiseLand Childcare Center, an on-site child care center providing free educational and social development opportunities for resident pre-school age children
  
  
• Metropolitan Ministries Academy, on-site K-5 grade Hillsborough County charter school focusing on the educational needs of homeless children where:
  
  • Small classes allow teachers to quickly assess each student’s academic needs and work with the child's parent to develop a plan to get/keep the child on track
    
  • Academy students benefit from one-on-one tutoring provided by volunteers and education interns from local universities
    
• Children’s Activities (K-12th graders) with after school activities and tutoring
  
• Summer, winter break and spring break camps, with recreational and educational activities, for children at the Ministries
  
• After school activities and tutoring
  
• Career Development Center, an on-site center providing adult and teen residents an area for quiet study, tutoring, computer access and training that is critical to their success. Volunteers help with:
  • Training on Microsoft software programs
  • Résumé writing
  • Employment search skills
  • Tutoring in math and English grammar skills needed to pass the GED test