::: In This Update
- Funky Buddha Fundraiser
- City Commission Meeting Wed Apr 16 @ 6:30pm
- Please Keep Writing to Your Commissioners
- Upcoming Public Meeting Dates
- Please Share This Petition
::: Funky Buddha Fundraiser
On Thu Apr 17 - for the first time ever - Covenant House is hosting its annual fundraiser in the city of Oakland Park. Tickets start at $195 per person and go all the way up to $10,000.
In the last fiscal year, Covenant House made a $750,000 profit - that's money they put in the bank instead of spending on serving the homeless clients in their current shelter. And the year before that, they made a profit $2,000,000 - and another $2,000,000 the year before that.
Covenant House says their mission is to end youth homelessness. But, according to their own self-published data for 2024, of the 642 people they said they reached in Fort Lauderdale, only 51 (8%) "moved to stable housing" and only 116 (18%) "gained or maintained employment."
Is this what we want in our city? An organization that puts profits ahead of services and achieves so few tangible results?
The Covenant House event is being held in the back room of the Funky Buddha in downtown Oakland Park. At the same time, members of the West Side Coalition (the sponsor of this petition) will be hanging out in the front side tap room and on the outdoor patio - all of which are open to the public. Please come join us there to get connected to other people who share your concerns.
::: City Commission Meeting Wed Apr 16 @ 6:30pm
Next week, the city commission will be holding their regular meeting. At the last meeting members supporting the Covenant House proposal spoke, and it is likely that more will be present on the 16th to speak in favor of it.
We need to keep up the momentum. If you can attend, please come share your concerns during public comments. The meeting is Wed Apr 16 at 6:30pm at City Hall, 3650 NE 12th Ave (on the east side of Dixie Hwy, north of Oakland Park Blvd).
You'll be allowed 4 minutes to express yourself directly to the people who will decide on this proposal. The commissioners especially appreciate hearing from new voices.
::: Please Keep Writing to Your Commissioners
Your letter-writing campaign is an extremely effective way to be heard directly by the decision-makers: our five elected city commissioners. Please take a minute or two to write - even a simple message of just a few lines lets them know that you can about the effect this project will have on our community.
If you need help, click here for a letter template to get you started.
Please be sure to cc all five of the commissioners on your email - that way they will be sure to get the message.
- Mayor Tim Lonergan
954-683-2658 - timl@oaklandparkfl.gov - Vice Mayor Steve Arnst
954-943-2055 - stevena@oaklandparkfl.gov - Commissioner Aisha Gordon
954-397-1921 - aisha.gordon@oaklandparkfl.gov - Commissioner Letitia Newbold
954-605-4634 - letitia.newbold@oaklandparkfl.gov - Commissioner Fitz Budhoo
954-493-4013 - fitz.budhoo@oaklandparkfl.gov
::: Upcoming Public Meeting Dates
We will let you know as soon as we know if the Covenant House application will be included in a meeting's agenda. Agendas are published 7 days in advance of the meeting.
- Wed Apr 16 - City Commission (non-voting)
- Thu Apr 24 - Development Review Committee
- Wed May 7 - City Commission (non-voting)
- Mon May 12 - Planning & Zoning Board (likely vote)
- Wed May 21 - City Commission (likely vote)
::: Please Share This Petition
We're only 12 signatures away from our next goal of 800! Please keep sharing this petition with your friends, neighbors, relatives, and anyone else that cares about you, your neighborhood, and your city. Use the share buttons on this page or simply send them this link: