Leah Stockton, the Director of Development and Engagement at AH Monroe, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about the organization.
The city of Key West recently provided AH Monroe a grant.
Stockton said, “AH Monroe is very grateful to the city of Key West. It was $7,500 to support our food program. We do monthly food vouchers for people living with HIV and other serious medical conditions. And so we were really grateful that they supported also part of the AH families, supported the Keys Outreach Coalition, and they received $7,500 to support the loaves and fish food pantry. That food pantry has seen a 30% increase over the last two months when the SNAP benefits were suspended, and the government was shut down, and then it’s just sort of continued with an affordability crisis. So we’re very grateful to the city, and honestly, the whole community has stepped up. We have had people coming out, left and right, dropping off food over there on Patterson Avenue and sending in donations, financial donations, which help us supplement the food supplies. We’re really grateful for everybody stepping up to help our friends and neighbors.”
The Homeless Persons Memorial Day is coming up on Friday.
Stockton said, “This is an annual service hosted by the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition, and it is held on or around the longest night of the year. And it’s a memorial service for individuals who have died homeless in Monroe County or without the ability to pay for a burial over the last year. And it will be on Friday afternoon, December 19, at 3pm at the Key West cemetery. We have the opportunity to come together and remember those who have passed, honor their lives. And for me, I feel like it’s a very grounding, moving experience, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, this really is who we are and why we do what we do, to be here for each other. So I would encourage anyone, it’s open to the public. Anybody can attend and join us for this special moment.”
The Lofts will have an open house coming up.
Stockton said, “It is a busy week. So the Lofts at Bahama Village, we started moving folks in there in September. We had our grand opening in October. It is 98 rental units of affordable housing right in the heart of Key West in Bahama Village, and we are going to be hosting a holiday open house on Saturday from 11 to 2, or Monday, from 3 to 6. Everyone is welcome to stop by, take a tour of the property, tour the units, meet our property management team that works there and find out more about the Lofts and if that would be a housing solution that would work for you and your family. So we encourage you to stop by. We have still a few units available, not many, less than a handful, mostly three bedroom units. However, we have already started the wait list, and units will turn over. I mean, that’s just the nature of how life goes. So I would encourage you to come on out and get your name on the list or check it out. Maybe down the road, it’s it’s a possibility for you. So this would be a great time. If you can’t make the open houses, that’s okay. You can give us a call, and we would be glad to give you a tour at another time, if that would work better for you. We know it’s a busy time at the holidays. That phone number for the Lofts is 305-231-1100, and you can give us a call and we’d be glad to show you around and tell you more. It is an annual lease. So we do property management for the rental side, for the 98 rental units, and then the city of Key West is handling the homeowner, the condos in the other building for the home ownership. And I believe they’re moving right along. Tina over at the city of Key West is heading up that project, and I think they’re moving right along with getting people financed and doing closings and such, to move those folks in as well. It’s a multi layered approach. So it’s going to take all the ways we can come at this challenge, and the Lofts is one of those. We’re really proud and honored to be a part of this.”
AH Monroe has served the community for 40 years.
Stockton said, “We’re planning a big celebration with Taste of Key West, we’re bringing back the vintners dinner, and those of you that have been around for a while remember the vintners dinner, and so we’re really excited to celebrate 40 years of health, housing and hope in the community. So you’ll hear more about that in the coming months, and we hope you can come out and join us for that celebration. As always, a reminder that if you need help, we’re here, please don’t hesitate to reach out. And if you are looking to help, to volunteer, to donate, to get more involved, you can reach out to me as well, and we’ll find a way to do that for you. And again, thank you to the community and happy holidays.”
For more information, click here: https://ahmonroe.org