Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who does the shelter serve?

A. The shelter serves both part-time and year-round Immokalee residents, as well as individuals and families from other parts of Collier Country who cannot find housing. In 2005, the Immokalee Friendship House sheltered over 1,000 people and served over 25,000 meals. The shelter is nearly always at capacity, and operates at an occupancy rate of 100 to 120 percent during the harvest season.

Q. What area does the shelter serve?

A. The Immokalee Friendship House is located in Immokalee, Florida, in Collier County. Immokalee is a small town located about 40 miles northeast of Naples. Its principle industry is agriculture, and over 45 percent of its 20,000 year-round residents live below the poverty level. During the harvesting season, the population nearly doubles.

Q. How are the people the shelter serves helped?

A. The Immokalee Friendship House provides safe shelter, meals, clothes, case management, and other social support to individuals and families that require assistance in order to become self-reliant.

The Immokalee Friendship House also provides aid in times of crisis. The shelter provided shelter to about 70 individuals and families the night of Hurricane Wilma. In the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma, the shelter gave ice, food, water, clothing, and diapers to over 2,500 people affected by the storm. To learn more about our specific services, visit the Our Services page.

Q. How long has the Immokalee Friendship House been in operation?

The Immokalee Friendship House was incorporated in 1987, making it Collier County’s oldest homeless shelter.

Q. Where does the shelter’s funding come from?

A. Major donors include The United Way, the Department of Children and Families, individuals, local churches and synagogues, area businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. The shelter accepts donations of food, clothing, and blankets, which are used at the Friendship House or sold through La Casa, the shelter’s thrift store. For more information about the store, visit our La Casa page.

Q. How is the Immokalee Friendship House structured?

A. The Friendship House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It has an executive director and an all volunteer board of directors.

Q. How many employees and volunteers work at the Immokalee Friendship House?

A. The shelter has a full-time staff of seven and a part-time staff of five. The staff is made up of shift workers, case managers, shelter managers, a bookkeeper, administrative assistant, and executive director. Last year there were 315 volunteers who volunteered 7,840 hours. The shelter’s volunteers range from local grade school students to retirees. The shelter also hosts students participating in alternative Spring Break Programs throughout the country.

Q. What is your operating budget?

A. The shelter’s annual operating budget is about $700,000.00

Q. How does the shelter spend its resources?

A. About 75% of each dollar spent is used to shelter, clothe and feed the homeless.

Q. How can I volunteer?

A. If you would like to volunteer at the Friendship House, please call (239) 657-4090 or e-mail schylea@immokaleefriendshiphouse Schylea Williams about volunteer opportunities. .

Q. How else can I help?

A. The greatest gift the shelter can receive is financial support. Generous donations fund the majority of the shelter’s budget and allow it to continue to serve the less fortunate among us. All contributions are tax-deductible. Please call us for additional information about giving at (239) 657-4090.