The Source’s Dignity Bus Hits the Road to New Communities…across The Nation & Beyond

While St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands was launching their new Dignity Bus, The Legacy Closet, a non-profit organization in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was simultaneously prepping to sign their contract with The Source for a Dignity Bus for their community.

A Mission Rooted in Compassion

The Legacy Closet, founded 8 years ago from a garage in the suburbs of Margate, Florida, by founder and now CEO Margi Pattin, began with nothing more than faith and the conviction that if they loved their community fiercely enough, they could restore dignity… one family at a time.

Growing Impact in South Florida

Now with a solid force of volunteers, nonprofit partnerships, community supporters, and a brick-and-mortar facility, The Legacy Closet understands where compassion meets community.

Their mission is to make a lasting change in the lives of South Florida families by securing food, clothing, essentials, and shelter for the most vulnerable in their community.

They believe that no one should be denied basic necessities and are committed to providing the best possible services to the community based on core values that include integrity, compassion, transparency, and accountability.

Their solid infrastructure played a large part towards the next huge step in them securing a safe and secure temporary overnight facility with the Dignity Bus Initiative from The Source, housed in Vero Beach, FL.

Expanding the Dignity Bus Network

Ms. Patttin admits that her prayers took hold in being able to bring Dignity Bus to South Florida.

“This is a calling. This is God stretching the mission beyond walls and into movement. This is not just housing. This is dignity reborn. Changing lives… Restoring worth... One sleep at a time.”

According to Anthony Zorbaugh, Executive Director of The Source, ”We are thrilled to be adding a 9th location of Dignity Bus to our ever-growing list of communities who are continually reaching out to us on the off chance they can bring a Dignity Bus to be part of their homeless community.”

The Dignity Bus Initiative

The Dignity Bus Initiative began in Vero Beach, FL in 2021, during the peak of the Pandemic.

The Source created a unique way to get people off of the streets and into beds for a safe and secure night’s sleep. It turned out that the idea of utilizing a temporary “bed on wheels,” named Dignity Bus, has essentially changed the future for the homeless and has become a blueprint for success for the communities who are operating one.

It’s meant to be a temporary resolve, but experience has proven what a bold action looks like, and when done correctly, it totally changes and transforms people’s lives for the better.

Dignity Buses have found homes not only in Vero Beach, FL (with two operational each night of the week), but also in Brevard County, FL; Rhode Island; Illinois; and two in Orlando, with the newest and the most complete version now located and operational in St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

What are the Next Steps?

“The Legacy Closet bus is expected to be completed and ready for delivery to them by the end of April,” comments Zorbaugh.

“After our initial training period, they will be ready to bring aboard their first passengers for a safe night’s sleep, a shower, and breakfast in the morning.”

As for The Source, they have multiple conversations happening for their next Dignity Bus locations.

Zorbaugh concludes, “It’s likely that St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is just about ready to bring another Dignity Bus over there as well as us providing a Dignity Bus to a community nonprofit in northern California.

With the success of the Ft. Lauderdale Dignity Bus, there is great interest in them expanding with their non-profit partners in Palm Beach and Boca Raton as well as in the Miami area.

The word has spread throughout the country and beyond, with ongoing interest being received on a regular basis."

A Simple Step That Changes Lives

Sometimes the most powerful step toward change begins with something simple...a safe place to sleep.

The Source and their Dignity Bus initiative are all that and more. The Source provides a range of Dignity Programs, essential assistance, including restaurant-style hot meals, clothing provisions, counseling services, support groups, hygiene amenities, access to showers, mail and telephone facilities, and referrals for benefits through core programs and services that instill a sense of community.

To contact Anthony Zorbaugh via email, tony.zorbaugh@iamthesource.org or call 772-564-0202. Visit www.iamthesource.org for more information.