And where does that money go?

ECHO takes a holistic approach to helping people transform their lives. We start with emergency help like groceries, toiletries, and rental assistance, and then encourage our clients to build a relationship with one of our professional case managers to interrupt the cycle of need and dependence.

The complete circle of care sometimes begins when families in crisis across the Big Bend meet one of our four dedicated caseworkers who travel to homes to check on the well-being of children for the Florida Department of Children and Families , or when a family has been referred by a partner agency.

Contributing to the holistic approach, ECHO’s Furniture Bank rehabilitates gently used donated furniture, which is then distributed at the request of local shelter partners to furnish the home of someone who has transitioned from homelessness. in each case, the objective is not to just meet a need but to change a life and stabilize a home.

Client Successes

When Vicandi Ward came to ECHO, he felt weighed down by life’s circumstances. As a single father of two teenage boys, he juggled two jobs to make ends meet. When his boss noticed he could use some support, Vicandi decided to give the 15-week Getting Ahead in the Workplace program at ECHO a try.

With the help of an ECHO case manager, Vicandi was able to identify his first priority: financial stability. He had a stable income, but needed help with budgeting, catching up on rent, and setting boundaries in his relationship with his sons’ mother. Soon, he began to gain confidence in his ability to manage his finances and provide for his sons.



ECHO case managers know the impact that childhood experiences can have on the decisions we make as adults. Vicandi had grown up in a low-income area in a culture that encouraged violence and manipulation to solve conflicts, and this impacted how he showed up at work. As he began to apply what he learned in the Getting Ahead program, he discovered there were some things he could have done differently in past experiences, like using appropriate language, acknowledging the hidden rules in the workplace, and recognizing cultural differences among his supervisors, coworkers, and restaurant patrons.

Vicardi quickly accepted responsibility for his actions and he accepted constructive criticism, stating that he was used to dealing with conflict like he did in the streets but realized that was not going to work if he wanted to be successful and advance in life. By the end of the class, he had a new perspective on life and he even inquired about becoming a Getting Ahead facilitator.

Now, Vicardi is now on a fast track to success in the work that he loves the most: cooking. You’ll find him at a local restaurant, where he quickly advanced from being a prep cook to a sous chef, and running his own catering business.

Over the course of just one year, Vicardi’s weight has been lifted. He has a new course in life, and the lessons he learned in Getting Ahead in the Workplace have helped him earn promotions and raises which resulted in him being able to move into a more comfortable home with his family. He is thankful, and sees a bright start to 2025, saying, “opportunity has been presented and I’m taking it all.”