By 2000, we outgrew the 3rd street location and purchased the property on Central Avenue, as the very first day center in the area and now officially called The Mission of Winter Haven “The Mission”. Since then, The Mission has provided essential day-to-day support services for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and anyone in need.
Today, The Mission of Winter Haven gives individuals opportunities to receive the comprehensive services that are most essential to them. The majority of our clients struggle with homelessness either by already being homeless, prior homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless. Our staff and volunteers carry on with the same loving spirit as our founder, in HOPE, providing support to some of our community’s most vulnerable people.
The Mission was founded in 1977, with the heart of one man and the support of friends in his community. The founder felt called to help young people with no place to go and we were incorporated as Kings Kids Counseling. By the late 1980’s, what began as helping a few young people, turned into whole families, and became public feedings in Rotary Park. This encouraged the organization to find a place in downtown Winter Haven to rent in the 90’s, as a Soup Kitchen and changed the name to Christian Family and Youth Services.