Our Village is a community center which provides assistance from birth to death. You name it, we try to meet the need or find someone who can for people to live their best life. We do this by giving a hand up, but not always a handout. We try to work WITH people right where they are and help them to determine the next steps for their level of self-sufficiency. This is a social worker’s paradise! Everything we do is aimed at locating social supports and building natural support systems while validating trauma and supporting the client through their own life course while they are here.
We offer mental health peer support for children ages 5-21; limited therapy based on circumstances with pro bono therapists; peer support for adults transitioning out of jail, involved in drug or mental health court; assistance for children in an alternative educational placement or involved with DJJ or truancy court; Restorative practice work in schools and the community; education and arts center; after school tutoring; referrals to other entities; assistance with SNAP, Medicaid, Social Security applications; clothing closet; exchange for household items and low-cost shopping for clientele; immigration assistance; and a food pantry. We also participate in funded research projects, large community events, and much more.
Special Placement Information:
The Agency is accepting BSW, MSW 1st year, MSW 2nd year and Advanced Standing Clinical Students, Part-time BSW and Part-time MSW. The Agency Students must have transportation to the center and to the local community if they visit schools. They do not need liability until they are providing clinical services with clients. We will allow video and audio taping, with signed consent from the individual/guardian/parent. We are open Monday - Friday 9 am-5 pm. Saturday and Sunday we are open by appointment only. Evening hours are available, as we have several activities that run into the evening. We are closed to the general public at that time. There is no public bussing available in Okeechobee. The center of town is walkable with many services located in a 5-block radius.