Guide to getting help from Catholic Charities of Central Florida.
Catholic Charities of Central Florida is one of the most wide-ranging social service organizations in the region. It's a ministry of the Diocese of Orlando, but it serves people of all faiths — or no faith at all. What makes it unusual compared to many local nonprofits is its geographic reach and the variety of what it actually does. For someone in crisis in Central Florida, the question isn't really "does Catholic Charities have something for me?" — it's "which program fits my situation?" The guide below walks through the main ones.
This isn't just an emergency food pantry or a one-time bill assistance program. Catholic Charities runs free medical and dental clinics, homeless housing programs, mental health services, refugee resettlement, and immigration legal help — all under one organizational roof spanning nine Florida counties: Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia.
Emergency financial help: The Family Stability Program
The Family Stability Program is the primary path for people who need immediate help with rent or utilities. It's designed to prevent homelessness — either stopping an eviction before it happens or rapidly rehousing someone who has already lost their home. A case manager reviews each situation individually, and if approved, a household can receive up to $1,000 in rental assistance and up to $500 in utility assistance.
There are a few things worth knowing before you apply. First, the program requires that your household has some income — it's not set up for people with zero income who need long-term support - but look here for programs in you have no money or income. Second, if an eviction case has already been filed against you in court, this program typically cannot help; the intent is to intervene before the legal process begins. Third, expect the review process to take roughly two weeks from the time you submit your intake form, so don't wait until the last possible moment. You can start the intake process online at https://cflcc.org/ or by calling (407) 658-1818.
A note for Orlando's hospitality and service workers: Central Florida's economy runs heavily on tourism, theme parks, hotels, and restaurants — industries that often pay hourly wages, offer irregular hours, and provide limited or no benefits. The Family Stability Program specifically serves people who are working but still struggling, and it regularly assists this population. If you're employed and still can't make rent, that does not disqualify you — it's exactly the situation the program exists for.
Food assistance: Agape Mission Markets
The Agape Mission Markets are Catholic Charities' food assistance program, operating at multiple locations across the diocese. They function more like a market than a traditional food pantry — offering meats, fresh produce, and other groceries selected to meet nutritional needs and personal preferences, rather than a fixed box of surplus items. Locations are spread across the region, including Kissimmee and the greater Orlando area. Contact the main line at (407) 658-1818 to find the nearest location and confirm current availability.
Free medical and dental care
Catholic Charities operates several free medical and dental clinics across the diocese for uninsured adults living at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. All care is provided by volunteer health professionals, and the clinics have earned a gold rating from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics — a meaningful indicator of quality for volunteer-run facilities.
Current clinic locations include St. Thomas Aquinas Medical Clinic in St. Cloud (serving Osceola County), St. Luke Medical and Dental Clinic in Eustis, Lazarus Medical Clinic and Lazarus Dental Clinic in the Lake/Sumter County area, and La Guadalupana Medical and Dental Clinic in Ocala. All are by appointment. Call (407) 658-1818 to be connected to the right clinic for your county. Read more about free or income based dental community clinics in Florida.
A note on the La Guadalupana clinic: It is located in Ocala and specifically designed to serve Spanish-speaking migrant and agricultural workers in Marion and surrounding counties — a population that often faces significant barriers to health care access. The clinic name itself is a reference to Our Lady of Guadalupe and reflects the intentional outreach to this community.
Housing beyond emergency rental help
For people facing longer-term housing instability, Catholic Charities offers more than one-time assistance. Pathways to New Hope provides transitional and supportive housing for individuals and families working toward stable permanent housing. The organization also manages affordable housing properties for low-income individuals and seniors through its Resurrection Property Management arm.
One program worth highlighting specifically is Pathways to Care — a unique assisted living facility for homeless individuals who are recovering from serious illness or surgery. This fills a gap that most people don't realize exists: someone who is homeless and medically fragile is often discharged from a hospital with nowhere to go that can safely support their recovery. Pathways to Care provides that bridge, including beds and ongoing medical support, in a non-hospital setting. It serves adults and veterans in need of this kind of transitional medical care.
For those at risk of losing their homes due to mortgage problems, HUD-approved housing counseling is also available through Catholic Charities to help homeowners in foreclosure explore options and communicate with lenders.
Behavioral health services
Catholic Charities operates a full outpatient behavioral health program providing therapy, psychiatric evaluations, and medication management. This is not a crisis hotline — it's an ongoing clinical program for people dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health conditions who may lack access to private care. It serves adults in the diocese regardless of faith background. Contact the main office to be connected to the behavioral health team.
Immigration and refugee services
Catholic Charities of Central Florida has two distinct programs for immigrants and refugees, and it's worth understanding the difference. Comprehensive Refugee Services is for people who have been formally resettled as refugees and need help with employment, education, case management, and youth mentoring as they build a new life in Central Florida. The organization has served Ukrainian, Filipino, and other refugee populations in recent years.
Immigration Legal Services is for immigrants more broadly — providing affordable legal help with immigration applications, citizenship, employment authorization, and related matters. Legal consultations are handled by specialists. Contact the immigration team directly at (407) 658-0110.
Central Florida's immigrant and refugee population is substantial and diverse, drawn by the region's service economy. Catholic Charities is one of the few organizations in the area offering both formal legal services and wraparound resettlement support under the same roof.
Who Catholic Charities serves — and who it doesn't
Catholic Charities serves people of any religion or none at all. You do not need to be Catholic to receive help. That said, funding is limited and not everyone who applies will receive assistance — the Family Stability Program, for example, does not guarantee aid, and the medical clinics are appointment-based with their own eligibility criteria. If you are denied or ineligible for one program, ask about others — the organization's case managers are often aware of additional resources and referrals across the region.
How to contact and apply
The main office is at 1819 N Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32807. The main phone line for financial assistance and general inquiries is (407) 658-1818. For immigration legal services, call (407) 658-0110. For refugee services, call (407) 277-1938. An online intake form is available at https://cflcc.org/ for those who prefer to start the process remotely.
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