OUR HISTORY

The St. Petersburg Dream Center, a 501c3 organization, has a rich history in Pinellas County of helping where it is needed most.  As you will see from the information below, their reach has greatly impacted our community with  critical services and support.    

The organization originally began in 1996 as "Hope for the Homeless", an outreach ministry to the homeless.  For 15 years, they served breakfast to the homeless every Saturday with six to seven volunteers while partnering with Gateway Christian Center.

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In 2000, the organization changed its name to the "St. Petersburg Dream Center" (aka Dream Center) and experienced unprecedented growth.  They added the following services with an all volunteer staff of only 10 people:

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• Discipleship ministry;

• Housing;

• Ex-offender Re-entry program;

• On-site assistance with food stamp applications (ACCESS);

• 211 Assistance;

• Referrals for clothing and housing;

• Volunteer Program;

  • Church volunteers

  • Community Service hours for those seeking to fill court ordered requirements.

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During the period from 2000 to 2004, the Dream Center was the lead agency in partnership with the Salvation Army to start up and create a "One Stop" location for homeless assistance services.  This partnership helped the Salvation Army get their program up and running and served between 50-100 individuals per day.  The Dream Center also worked with other organizations such as the Catholic Charities and was part of a Homeless Task Force.

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From 2005 to 2010 the Dream Center expanded into the Lealman area and occupied a 15,000 square foot facility where they served an average of 400 individuals per month.  Of those served, over 260 individuals per month utilized the food pantry along with food stamp ACCESS assistance.  The services offered in Lealman were as follows:

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• Food Pantry;

• ACCESS food stamp application assistance;

• Case management for ex-offender re-entry and part of the PERC Coalition;

• Short-term housing (30 day stay);

• Assistance with ID's, job search, bus passes, AARP training;

• Provided Church services to address spiritual needs;

• Case Management Intern program;

• Experience Works Program;

• Sidewalk Sunday School; and

• Served breakfast every Saturday at St. Vincent de Paul.

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The Dream Center has certainly left its mark in our community by helping individuals and families find their way back home both spiritually and physically=CHANGED LIVES!

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Pastor Sam felt like God was calling them to a new area in 2013 and the Dream Center surprised everyone by moving to the Southside of St. Petersburg.  They felt led to go to the area where help was needed the most--and they did, even though they lost the majority of their volunteer staff.  But God had a different plan and blessed their obedience.  As a result, many Southside individuals who had never ventured out of their community heard the gospel, the Dream Center's Prayer Ministry exploded over a five year period, and the one day youth Sports Camp was a big hit. 

Youth Sports Camp (Southside)

The Dream Center originally planned to host a Sports Camp for 150 children, however, over 400 children signed up.  This program was designed to help children from the homeless shelter and give them time away from their environment.  The youth Sports Camp introduced participants to different sports and helped them realize their potential as an athlete in many different sports.  But most of all, it provided an opportunity to awaken youth to know a God who loves them .  The following programs were offered: 

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• Food Pantry serving over 260 people per month;

• Sports Camp for inner city youth to discover their abilities as an athlete along with local coaches;

• Host site for Feeding America where they provided food for over 400 people in just four months' and

• Host site for the Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes for Metropolitan Ministries.