We are a private, not-for-profit community organization that has served the housing needs of Lee County residents going on 8 years. We Care Outreach has developed a reputation for dedication and commitment to persons with little or no income, and to the populations most stigmatized, as is evidenced by the consumers served. We Care Outreach operates the three transitional housing programs in Lee County, Florida since 2005.
The target population served is any homeless person in Lee County who is over the age of 18. During this time, due to lack of programming and increasing need, We Care Outreach also provides emergency shelter for referring agencies.
We Care Outreach provides emergency services including showers, laundry facilities, mail receipt and secure storage, and canteen for use during operating hours. We have the ability to provide secure storage for personal items. Meals can be provided.
We Care Outreach provides case management services, referrals for substance abuse and mental health assessment and counseling, life skills training, telephone and message services, clothing, food, legal assistance, vocational counseling, and other services as needed. Emergency services are of immediate access through referrals given by community agencies in Lee County, and various resources in other Florida Counties. Services are offered in close proximity to numerous supportive services in Lee County.
Once through referral processes (law enforcement, County, local social service agencies, word-of-mouth), transitional services/housing are offered onsite with the ultimate goal being independent living services with continued supportive services such as substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and other services as needed. We Care Outreach provides services to over 2,750 homeless persons per year through point-of-contact and emergency services.
We Care Outreach was established to teach people with an addiction problem that recovery from alcohol and drugs is possible through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Our residents are not required to attend church or religious activities to live in our housing, however our experience has shown that those who willingly attend and participate in faith-based activities are more likely to succeed and find hope in their situation.The residents are monitored closely. They are on a probationary period of 30 days when they first arrive.
There is a curfew that they have to follow and they are given periodic drug and alcohol tests to assure that they are remaining clean and sober.In 1996, Tanya obtained her first property on Edison Avenue and opened it as“Healthy Choice Ministries” under a local church’s 501(c)(3) umbrella.
During the years from 1996 to 2005, she was able to minister to thousands of people enslaved by addictions and homelessness.In 2005, the opportunity to open a second site became available, and Tanya was able to purchase that building. At that point, Tanya realized that she needed to have an independent corporate structure, and not just work under the church, and so, she formed “We Care Outreach” as a 501(c)(3) corporation. Since 2005, a third location was leased to minister to women only.We Care Outreach has a six-person board of directors who set policy. It employs an Executive Director to manage its operations. Recovery Support Specialists ensure client needs are met.
Tanya is the Executive Director of We Care Outreach, and brings a wealth of training and experience to the organization, including 12 years of continual successful operation of this ministry and its predecessor. She was involved with Substance Abuse Case Management through the Southwest Florida Addiction Services for 13 years
She has served as the District 8 Faith-based Coordinator for My Florida Access to Recovery from April, 2006 – July, 2007, and was responsible to oversee GPRA training and monitored the faith-based providers for her district.
She is also a Certified Behavioral Health Technician for the state of Florida, as well as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist. She is a Certified Emergency Screening Specialist and an Outreach Case Manager also, as well as a Cluster Program Provider for the NET Institute. She is a charter member of the Southwest Florida Faith-Based Coalition.
One day the founder of Health Choice Ministries, Tanya Johnson, was driving past a small complex of duplexes that were formerly used as crack houses. She asked her passenger as they drove by the duplexes, “What do you see there?” and her passenger replied, “I don’t see anything but some abandon duplexes.” and Tanya replied, “I see an Oasis of Recovery from the rat race of drug and alcohol addiction.” This divine vision was the seed of foundation for We care Outreach.
We Care Outreach was established to teach people with an addiction problem that recovery from alcohol and drugs is possible through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Due to changes in the economy, We Care Outreach has also taken on the burden of assisting the homeless and abused, and recently, has increased it’s focus on the needs of women and children.
Since that day in 1996, Tanya has been in the battle daily — for most of the time balancing the ministry with a demanding full time job at Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS) in Fort Myers. In 2006, Tanya left SWFAS to become the local District 8 faith-based coordinator for My Florida Access To Recovery. Following that, Tanya went full-time as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist, certified in Crisis Management, a Certified Emergency Screening Specialist, and Outreach Case Manager. She also is a Cluster Program provider for the NET Institute.
Tanya is involved with the Southwest Florida Faith-Based Coalition (which she founded.) We Care Outreach — which consists of Eternal Home, Health Choice, and Hannah House; and the Serenity House.
