HEP’s purpose is to break the cycle of homelessness for the thousands of people we help each year.

We monitor our programs to measure progress against stated goals and make necessary refinements throughout the process. Since 1986, our mission has been to provide homeless and low-income individuals and families, including veterans, with housing, food, clothing and support services necessary to obtain self-sufficiency and improved quality of life.

Learn More about HEP here.

Attorney Fran Haasch Gives $2,500 Scholarship to Homeless Empowerment Program

(HEP) Veterans

Clearwater, Fla., Feb. 23, 2021 - The Fran Haasch Law Group personal injury firm donated

$2,500 in scholarships to the Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) to help veteran residents

continue their educational path toward self-sufficiency.

The gift is part of a 20th-anniversary celebration where Haasch will divide $20,000 among eight

local nonprofit organizations that align with causes she’s passionate about - homelessness,

veterans, food insecurity, community wellness, animals and youth.

Since 1986, HEP has provided housing, food, clothing and support services to homeless and

low-income families and individuals, including veterans. Resident case managers and workforce

development staff will help identify five veterans interested in or already pursuing advanced

learning and award them a $500 scholarship.

“In 2020, there was a 47-percent increase in homeless veterans throughout Tampa Bay, and

nearly one-third of HEP’s residents are brave men and women who’ve served our country,”

Haasch said. “It’s an honor for our firm to give back to an organization that works tirelessly to

break the cycle of homelessness, improve the lives of its veteran residents and help them

become self-sufficient.”

HEP launched its on-site Workforce Development Program in 2015. Residents learn skills

needed to confidently enter the workforce and overcome some of the challenges and

roadblocks they face in finding reliable employment. The organization partnered in 2019 with the

Pinellas County School Board to focus on continuing education and skill-based employment

opportunities, with future plans to bring trades-based educational courses to its 8-acre campus.

Formerly known as Pathways to Employment, HEP’s workforce development center was

re-named the North Greenwood Adult Education and Workforce Development Center in 2020.

The program offers GED courses, college certifications, resume writing and job skills, and job

placement services for HEP residents free of charge, and is now open to the public for services.

“Successful employment helps decrease veterans’ chances of experiencing homelessness

again in the future. Our Workforce Development program has an overall 83-percent success

rate for residents who can obtain and maintain employment in the community,” said HEP

Marketing Director Rebecca Adams.

“We are so excited about this new partnership with The Fran Haasch Law Group because these

scholarships will help our veteran residents continue their educational path toward

self-sufficiency. We can’t wait to have Fran and her team out here on our campus soon to see

who their dollars are helping.”

Cox Media Group