Lotus House: An Overtown Anchoring Organization Improves Lives

In this series, OCYC highlights organizations that positively impact the residents in our Overtown Community. Lotus House shelters 1,550+ women, youth, and children annually—11,000+ since its establishment in 2006. Lotus House is the largest women’s homeless shelter in the country.

What is the inspiration behind your organization?

Lotus House was formed by a passionate group of volunteers committed to providing sanctuary, support, education, tools, and resources for women and children experiencing homelessness.

Who benefits from your organization and how?

Lotus House serves women, youth, and children who are homeless. The Lotus House program design helps reduce street and chronic homelessness in our communities by addressing the root causes of homelessness rather than just providing temporary reprieve. We provide trauma-informed programming, evidence-based therapeutic support, and deep protective factors for children that make it possible for the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community to heal and thrive despite the incredible trauma that they have been through.

Why does Overtown need your organization?

Lotus House was founded and built in Overtown because of the overwhelming need of women and children in this community and surrounding areas for shelter, support, resources, and civic engagement in the face of a gap in the continuum of existing services.

What message do you have for Overtown’s children and youth?

We are expanding Lotus House to include a neighborhood children’s education and resource center- Children's Village! The Children's Village will be a state-of-the-art, hi-tech, 5-story building that will be a shared home for over 10 nonprofit organizations providing additional programming and supportive services for children and families at Lotus House and the Overtown community. It will be located right across the street from Lotus House and will also have a beautiful children's playground, set to open in late 2024.

What do you want the residents of Overtown to know about your organization?

Lotus House is the only shelter in Miami-Dade that exclusively serves women, youth, and children experiencing homelessness. To break the cycle of homelessness these individuals need supportive and affirming shelter, medical/mental health services, employment/education support, life skills programs, housing assistance, and other services that address their specific needs. Lotus House provides all of this and more – helping women emerge from the shadows, give voice to their dreams, and build the foundation for a healthy, safe, and brighter future.

How do you select participants?

Women and children sheltered with us arrive via the Coordinated Entry System provided by the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust or other avenues and receive a comprehensive assessment of social, health (physical and mental), employment/education, and other needs. An individual action plan is created and tailored to address barriers to independent living.

What challenge(s) do you see for your organization’s success?

We will always rely on funders, volunteers, and collaborative relationships to ensure that the needs of those we shelter are met. We apply to all possible funders each year and organize fundraising events. However, securing sufficient funding to support 525+ women, youth, and children daily (1,400 annually) remains one of our greatest needs as an organization. As the cost of living increased in recent years, so has the demand for shelter and supportive services. As our budget continues to increase to adapt to the times, funding has become critical in offering lifesaving services to the vulnerable population we continue to serve. In addition, our need for collaborative relationships continues to rise as our organization expands the services and support offered by our health and wellness program and outreach programs for the Overtown community.

What’s your favorite part about your organization?

From the beginning, Lotus House has always been more than giving something back to those we shelter but an investment in the city’s future.

If you could have lunch with any person from Overtown, past or present, who would it be and why?

Over 350 babies call Lotus House their first home and we would love to have lunch with any of these children to see how they are doing, hear their successes, and learn about their hopes and dreams for the future.

Where do you see your organization in 3 years or 5 years?

We see our organization continuing to adapt, expand, and innovate to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable in our community are met.