Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a Christian living environment that allows true rehabilitation. To allow long term stays for life changing biblical teachings to take effect. To encourage the work ethic for those without a home in Citrus County. Now serving Marion County.

Our Vision

To bring the good news and teachings of Jesus Christ to those in need by means of example according to Matthew 25: 35: "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, for I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me."

History

Located in rural Citrus County, Florida, (approximately 90 mi. north of Tampa), The Path has been in operation since 2001 and sheltered over 1,700 homeless or displaced men, women and children. Most were from Citrus County.

Through the joint efforts of community churches, scores of volunteers, private donors, donations and local grants, The Path of Citrus County initially provided one house dedicated to the needs of homeless men, one house dedicated to the needs of homeless women and their children, an administrative office, a play area and sanctuary garden. A second (adjacent) shelter house for men was acquired in August 2008. In 2010, a fourth adjacent house was added.

In 2012, a fifth house was acquired for expanded Client Services administration. This facility will be utilized for client activities, general meetings, case management and other operations functions. In 2013, a sixth adjacent house was acquired for administration, finance, development, community relations, board meetings and donor relations.

Clients are sheltered in four adjacent houses in Beverly Hills, Florida. Each has capacity for 6 beds (two houses for six men each, one house for six women, one house for emergency sheltering for individuals and families with several children, bed capacity of 6). Each house includes personal space, laundry, kitchen/dining area, bathrooms, and common area. The Path can accommodate single parents and their children. Other facilities include storage, shelter food pantry, and a multi-purpose building for onsite programs.

A leased property in the Inverness area (Citrus County) includes a house that can accommodate Path shelter graduates or interns. This property also includes a green house, wood shop, refrigerated storage, and other environmentally-friendly farming activities. The facility is ideally suited and equipped to teach trades in woodwork or agriculturally-related skills.

The Path also operates two bargain stores for added sustainability, supervised work for clients, fulfillment of court-ordered community service hours, employment or job-retraining, and to provide benefits to our community. The original bargain store, now located in Lecanto, Florida, has been in operation for more than 10 years and sells new or gently used-furniture, appliances, household furnishings and other items. The newest bargain store in Dunnellon sells gently used clothing.