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.