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Emergency Shelter
The Kearney Center accepts new clients for overnight shelter from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. daily. Up to 375 beds are available on a first come, first served basis. As a low-barrier shelter, requirements for entry are minimal:
- Must be of age 18 years or older
- Must be able to perform the normal activities of daily living (ADLs) on their own. These include, but are not limited to bathing, grooming, feeding, toilet use, mobility, and bedding transfers
- Cannot have any history of being a registered sexual offender
- For clients to be accepted from a local care facility, the individual must be a current resident of the Big Bend 8-county region
Overnight clients are assigned to a bed and have access to meals, laundry, showers, storage, hygiene items, clothes, case management, and health services.
Care facilities (hospitals, behavioral health institutions, etc.) must call 850-792-9000 to speak with Anthony or Keith and complete the forms below to discharge a patient to The Kearney Center.
Meals
Clients are offered three meals and a snack daily.
Meal times:
- Breakfast: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Snack: 3:00 – 3:30 pm
- Dinner: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Daytime Services
Day services are offered Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to anyone in the community 18 years or older:
- Lunch and a to-go dinner
- Laundry (Up to 5 people between 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.)
- Showers
- Computers
- Phones
- Access to partner agency services (H3lp Florida, Career Source, Ability 1st, DCF, Apalachee, Legal Services, and more)
Visitors must check in at the front desk to receive a visitor badge.
Partner Agencies
The Kearney Center partners with many organizations and government agencies to provide wrap-around services to clients in one place. Check out the schedule below to see when providers will be at The Kearney Center. Dates and times are subject to change without notice.
| Service Provider | Service provided | Date & Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ability 1st | Walking aids (wheel chair, cane, etc) | Monday 8a - 10a | Service Hallway |
| Legal Services of North Florida | Legal claims, disability claims, social security card | Mon, Wed, Fri 8:30a - 11:30a | Service Hallway |
| DISC Village | Substance abuse prevention and intervention | Monday 9a - 11a | Service Hallway |
| Apalachee Center | Mental health counseling and medication assistance | Mon, Wed, Fri 9a-11a | Service Hallway |
| UnitedHealthcare | Health benefits and insurance assistance | Monday & Wednesday 8:30a - 11:30a | Service Hallway |
| H3LP Florida | Employment and identification assistance | Monday-Friday 6a - 9a | Welcome Desk |
| EmployU | Job placement, job training, and resume building | Tuesday 8a- 10a | Service Hallway |
| Bond Community Health Center (BCHC) | Health services | Every First Tuesday 9a-11a & Every Thursday 9a-12p | Out Front |
| Wellcare | Health benefits and insurance assistance | Tuesday & Thursday 9a-11a | Service Hallway |
| Capital City Youth Services (CCYS) | Supportive services for those 18-24 years of age | Tuesday 9a-11a | Service Hallway |
| Lively Technical College - Barbering Program | Hair cuts | Wednesday 10a-12:30p | Enrichment Center |
| Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) | State IDs | First Wednesday of every month 9a-11a | Out Front |
| Veterans Affairs (VA) | Education, rehabilitation services, disability assistance, and more for Veterans | Thursday 9a-11:30a | Service Hallway |
| Career Source | Provides comprehensive employment and workforce services for our region | Second and Fourth Thursday 12:30p - 2:00p | Service Hallway |
| Bright Future Behavioral Health | Therapy services/counseling | Thursday 12:30p-2p | Service Hallway |
| Bright Future Behavioral Health | Art Therapy | Friday 9a-11a | Enrichment Center |
| Department of Children & Families (DCF) | Food stamps and medicaid assistance | Monday-Friday 9a-1p | Service Hallway |
| Community Action: Getting Ahead Program | 15-week self-sufficiency course | Thursday 10a-12p | Enrichment Center |
| Alcoholic's Anonymous (AA) Meeting | Sobriety support meeting | Tuesday (women only) & Thursday (everyone) 7p-8p | Enrichment Center |
| Survive & Thrive Advocacy Center (STAC) | Education on labor and sex trafficking | Tuesday 8p-9p | Enrichment Center |
| Tobacco Free Florida: Smoking Cessation Program | Assistance with quitting smoking | Every other Wednesday 8am-10am | Cafeteria |
| Divine Glory Ministries | Bible study | Saturday 7p-8p | Enrichment Center |
Case Management
Overnight clients are offered housing-focused case management to identify their personal barriers to housing and get connected with the resources to achieve their goals of independence. Our case management team assists clients on their journey to self-sufficiency by:
- providing referrals (to jobs, healthcare, etc.)
- negotiating rent prices
- assisting with rental applications
- coordinating services that will help the client stabilize their life and move into permanent housing.
Clients are offered ongoing support from our housing navigators after they are settled in their new homes.
Health Services
The Kearney Center provides a holistic approach to healthcare for individuals in our community who have always been underserved and misunderstood through health services. To set clients up for success, we provide free in-house medical care.
Kearney on the Go
RESOURCES
Kearney Center Comprehensive Emergency Services
If you are in need of assistance navigating social services in the Big Bend Region, call 2-1-1 to receive help.
Social Services
- AA Meetings in Tallahassee Area
- Download AA Meeting Guide App
- Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO)
- Apply for Food Stamps
- Learn about benefits in the State of Florida
- Replace a Florida driver’s license
- Local STD Testing Centers
- Planned Parenthood
- Pregnancy Help and Information (PHI) Center (faith-based)
- Start Your Recovery
Find Employment
Find Housing
Benefits
If you find that any of this information needs to be updated, or if you would like your agency or agency resource to be recognized on this page, please send an email to diversion@cesctlh.org.