A Collaborative Story of Impact
By Kelly Hunter
When a housefire tore through a residence on Barre Drive in Charlotte County earlier this year, four people suddenly found themselves without a home. With no safety net to fall back on, the family pitched tents in their backyard, attempting to survive without water or electricity. Weeks turned into months, and the hardship began drawing the concern of neighbors and the attention of local authorities.
That’s when the call came to the Gulf Coast Partnership’s One Charlotte Coordinated Entry Team. Led by Chris Oester, Director of Coordinated Services, the team is often on the front lines of crisis situations like this—responding quickly, assessing needs, and connecting individuals and families with housing and support.
Answering the Call
In July 2025, Deputy William Miller of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reached out to the Gulf Coast Partnership with an urgent request for help. Within an hour of that call, Chris and Penny Lerie, Special Populations Intake and Outreach Coordinator were on-site, walking down Barre Drive to meet with the family and begin a plan of action.
“They didn’t hesitate,” Deputy Miller later wrote. “After a quick discussion of the situation, Chris and Penny formulated a plan and went from there. In the days that followed, Penny worked behind the scenes to quickly gather the resources necessary to bring the issue to a happy ending, including placement into a new home. I love when a plan comes together, and this one certainly did!”
From Tents to a Three-Bedroom Home
The One Charlotte Coordinated Entry team quickly entered the family into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), opening the door to resources and assistance. Within days, the team identified a landlord willing to work with the family and secured a grant opportunity to help them transition.
By the end of the week, the family had signed a lease for a three-bedroom home in Charlotte County. What had seemed like an impossible situation only days earlier was transformed into a new beginning through coordinated, compassionate action.
A Neighborhood Transformed
The impact extended beyond the family itself. Neighbors who had long struggled with the challenges posed by the burned property expressed gratitude for the outcome and praised the collaboration between Gulf Coast Partnership, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, and Charlotte County Code Enforcement. For the family, it meant dignity and stability. For the neighborhood, it meant peace of mind.
The Bigger Picture
The One Charlotte Coordinated Entry Team exists for moments like this. Their mission is clear: to make homelessness in Charlotte County rare, brief, and one-time. But stories like Barre Drive reveal the deeper truth—that success comes not just from a single agency, but from partnerships across law enforcement, code enforcement, landlords, and community members working together.
This story is more than a response to crisis; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration and the difference it makes when neighbors, agencies, and donors join forces.
Because of the generosity of supporters and the dedication of local partners, four people are no longer living in tents. They are home.
“When you give to the Gulf Coast Partnership, you’re not just funding programs—you’re helping turn stories of crisis into stories of hope and resilience.”
