Florida Licence Mobile

Posted on by Thor

My last sketch at the IDignity Identification Clinic was of the FLOW Mobile parked behind the Salvation Army Gym,

(440 W Colonial Dr.

Orlando,

Fl

32804). For people who had all the proof required to obtain a Florida ID (or license
renewal), one could be obtained at no charge via the FLOW mobile
(Florida Licensing On Wheels) at the event. People I had sketched inside as they made their way through the process ended  up out here where they could get their ID handed to them inside this bus. A few volunteers hung out in the tent to offer guidance. Some people lingered for a cigarette or a chat before they left to rebuild their life with the added asset of an ID. These Identification Clinics happen on the third Thursday of every month. 

It began to rain which chased me off to find my car parked several blocks away. As I was about to cross Concord Street on foot, a car rushed by at about 90 miles per hour. I swerved into oncoming traffic to get around slower cars and then tried to turn right down Hughey Avenue which is a frontage road parallel to I-4. The car was traveling too fast to make the turn and it crashed into a dirt embankment which saved it from crashing into a cement support wall. The car was perched on to of the hill with its tires dangling. Police drove up to the crash scene in a black SUV. I was walking towards the crash and saw police scanning the ground looking for foot prints in the dirt. The car was empty. Whoever had been driving had fled the crash scene on foot. People in a condo near the crash were on there balcony looking down at the scene and pointing. The police wore ski masks which hid part of their faces. I decided it wasn’t a good idea to stick around since clearly someone was wanted and desperately trying to escape capture. They could be armed. I walked the two blocks to my car and drove back to the studio.

IDignity Intake Station at the Client Service Event

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In the Salvation Army Gym (440 West Colonial Drive Orlando FL) people started entering for help in getting IDs. The first stop was the intake station. Volunteers lined one side of this long table dressed in their IDignity volunteer T-Shirts sitting opposite people seeking assistance in getting identification. First of course the need would need to be assessed. IDignity provides assistance in obtaining Florida ID cards and licenses,
birth certificates, Social Security cards, replacement citizenship or
immigration records and other documents needed to obtain an ID/license.

Once the forms were filled out and the person was issued an entry number, the volunteer would raise his or her hand which would bring over a volunteer who would provide a personalized path to start the process of obtaining identification documents. Some people came with all the paperwork needed to make getting the ID easy but others required more work. I overheard one volunteer telling a person that they just needed to mail themselves a letter to verify their address. Funny how in this digital age that a stamped envelope if a solid verification of a residence.

The place ran like clockwork. Sometimes the person did not need to face the task alone. A friend might stay by their side the entire day. People were from all walks of life. Some dresses in button down shirts and dress shoes while others were far more informal. A mother came with her new born child on her hip.

I was introduced during the orientation, so many volunteers came up to me to see my progress on the sketch. I had met some of these people at other fund raisers and community events around town. They all were so thankful that the mission of this place might be introduced to a new audience. IDignity has serviced over 20,000 people which is about the population of Maitland Florida.

I was told that the last venue that these events were held in was much smaller, so everyone is thankful for the full basketball court of space where they can help the community’s needs. The ID card acquired brings each person the freedom to apply for work or school, gain access to shelters, seek
help from social service programs, open a bank account or cash a check,
secure permanent housing, or overcome many other obstacles to being
self-sufficient.

IDignity Orientation

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I went to an IDignity event at The Salvation Army Gym (440 W. Colonial Dr.,

Orlando, FL 32804) which is near the construction for the new Creative Village. These events happen every Third Thursday of each month. Volunteers had to arrive by 7am. I tried to get there at that time, but the parking lots were full so I parked several blocks away in Parramore and walked.

There was a line outside the Salvation Army of people waiting to get in to obtain identification. On man had set up outside at 4am to be ready when the doors opened. He would be the first to go through the process of getting his ID. Service is first-come, first-served.

I asked a volunteer where to find the volunteer entrance. Ben Jimenez the creative media specialist, was my point person, helping me get oriented. Michael Dippy, the Executive Director, shook my hand and thanked me for helping tell their story. When I arrived inside, volunteers were getting their orientation. Many volunteers had returned time and time again and others were new to the process. A blue curtain separated the gym into two halves. In the first area, volunteers greet patrons, giving them a numbered card that is the patron’s guide through the event. Danielle Landaal, the program manager, explained how the day would proceed with people first entering at 8:30am to 11am. Intake would end when maximum capacity was reached.

Put simply, IDignity restores dignity and hope by providing identification. It was created to help the disadvantaged in Central Florida
through the complex steps of getting personal identification. Documents
like birth certificates, Florida ID cards, and Social Security cards
are essential for anyone to fully take part in society.

Every person’s story is unique. I was told about a man who was visiting Orlando as a tourist and he was robbed. He was stranded here living for a time at the airport unable to fly home. Getting his identity back meant he could get his life back. An ID the basic building block needed to get any job, a place to live and to become a contributing member of society.

After this orientation meeting, the volunteers splintered off into smaller groups. Some volunteers would be helping patrons at the intake station.  People could obtain a birth certificate on site, get a Florida ID or driver’s License on site, get assistance from Social Security or the Department of Veterans affairs, get legal counsel or ask about health advice. What is amazing is that all these social services have agreed to come together under one roof once a month, thus simplifying the process.

The room was a buzz and the doors opened allowing the first people in for assistance…

Central Florida Homeless Person’s Memorial

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I went to a Central Florida homeless person’s memorial service at St. James Catholic Cathedral (215 N Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida 32801) which recognized the lives of persons who died this year in Central Florida after having experienced homelessness.

During the service, the names of homeless persons who died in 2018 were be read aloud, and a candle was be lit to recognize and pay tribute to our neighbors who died on the streets or in emergency shelters.

The service began with a hymn and a few words from a pastor. Then the 81 names were slowly read with a bell sounding after each name. It reminded me of the bells being rung for the 49 lives lost a Pulse at the Vigil at the Dr Phillips Center. At that time 49 names seemed to take an eternity to read. 81 names take an even longer. It is sobering that so many lives are taken due to homelessness. Suicide, the elements and a lack of medical care all take their toll. 

People who knew the deceased then stood to have a candle lit and they held that candle as they stood at the front of those gathered. The stage grew crowded as people stood shoulder to shoulder with their candles a glow.  Then people were invited to say a few words about the people they had lost. One woman spoke about a homeless man who fell in love with her. He said he would win her heart and someday she would come homeless with him. She did indeed fall in love with him. She knew what a tortured soul he was and she felt he might have finally found peace. I got choked up listening to her. Her grief was overwhelming. Another man bedded down for the night in a friends driveway and in the morning, that friend accidentally backed up over him with his car.

Some on the list had been granted dignity by getting a roof over their heads.  A volunteer spoke about how a homeless man began sleeping in his neighborhood and the neighbors, knowing her worked with homelessness asked him to talk to the man. “Why don’t you talk to him? He doesn’t bite.” They wanted the man removed, but over time they began to offer him food and showers. When he moved on, another person took his place.

A volunteer from IDignity spoke about how important it is to give someone back their identity by recovering important documents. They host a monthly identification clinic where people can receive
free assistance obtaining identification documents. Only with an identity can you start life over.

Homelessness is a real problem here in Central Florida. It is important to treat people going through tough times with respect and dignity. Embrace every one of your neighbors with curiosity and an open heart. As I left the service, it was encouraging to see several police officers at the back of the congregation. They get to interact with homeless individuals more than anyone else.

iDignity Fundraiser at Ember

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Terry told me about the iDignity fundraiser at Ember. Admission to the fundraising event was $15 which is apparently how much it costs to acquire one Florida ID. I was instructed to slip my drivers license into the lanyard I was given to wear around my neck. Everyone in the room wore their IDs with pride. I sport a full head of hair on my drivers license photo but no one noticed. I found Terry at the end of the bar. She was working the event hoping to find some promising leads. I took the seat next to her and started to sketch.

I had been introduced to the charitable work of iDinity once before by Hannah Miller. They get IDs for the underprivileged. Without an ID it is impossible to get a job so this is the first step in empowering someone. I have seen that crowds of people show up when the IDs are being processed. I hope to get out to sketch the process soon.

The woman next to Terry was talking about how she had once tried out to be a Magic dancer. She didn’t approve of the process and she dropped out. The Magic were playing the New York Knicks that night. It was a home game, so there was a crowd at the Amway Center a few blocks away. After a beer and tasting the food, Terry and I decided to leave early to avoid the mad traffic congestion that would happen when the game let out.