DCF helps homeless families through Facebook

WFTV has told you about the growing number of homeless families in Central Florida. Now, the Department of Children and Families is launching a new program to help some families through Facebook.

WFTV's Racquel Asa found out who can qualify for the project.

Homelessness is a harsh reality for Jennifer Marrero, of which she is constantly reminded by the cramped quarters in her motel room.

"I never thought I'd end up in a situation like this, but even though I have learned how to manage the situation," Marrero said.

Marrero and her two teenagers have been homeless since summer 2011. She lost her job while she was in Puerto Rico taking care of her dying mother. Now she can only find part-time work and odd jobs to make money.

Before Marrero moved into a motel, she had a three-bedroom apartment. Now everything is in this one room, with every inch utilized.

Marrero is exactly the kind of person Homeless to Home wants to help out with a Facebook page dedicated to putting a face to the homeless in need of some of the basics to get them back on their feet.

"I think that it's difficult to be in a position to ask for help," said Carrie Hoeffner of DCF, "and so we'll serve as that buffer so that when someone contacts us, we'll contact the family and the case manager and start there and say 'Is this something that would be helpful to you?'"

But the program doesn't just help anyone. The family must be recommended by Homeless Services or Families in Transition, and they must have children in school -- the kind of situation Marrero and her kids are in.

"Do you see a light at the end of the tunnel?" WFTV asked. "Yes, yes somehow it's there," Marrero said.

DCF said it got the idea after helping a family through Facebook over the holidays and getting a big response.