Philip Mangano visits Pinellas Hope Philip Mangano, executive director for the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, toured Pinellas Hope on Wednesday, October 29. Hosted by Catholic Charities prexy Frank Murphy, he was joined by Sarah Snyder, executive director of PCCH and staff director of the HLN, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, County Commissioner Kenneth Welch, St. Petersburg City Council Chairman James Bennett, Clearwater Councilwoman and HLN Chair Carlen Petersen, and other city and county officials.

Mangano praised the success of Pinellas Hope, providing temporary shelter for 250 adults in a government-sanctioned "tent city" on a swatch of unused land controlled by the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg about one-half mile west of 49th Street North near Pinellas Park. First opened on Dec. 1, 2007, Pinellas Hope is a partnership between federal, state and local governments, Catholic Charities, and other service and faith-based organizations. “When you pull in the same direction you move forward,” Mangano said.

The release of a study report on the performance and impact of Pinellas Hope on homelessness in Pinellas County preceded the federal official's visit. It presents a history of Pinellas Hope, describes the program's operations, and detaisl the data collection methods and findings associated with the shelter's first five-months of operations. Also included is a discussion of the lessons learned and recommendations for future research. A second report analyzing findings after the first year of operations will be published.

To view the study report on Pinellas Hope, click here: http://www.pinellashomeless.org/Information/Research-Documents.html.

To view photos from Phil Mangano's visit to Pinellas Hope, click here: http://www.pinellashomeless.org/PPageKey__3/aid__2304/mid__35634/News-and-Events/Photo-Gallery.html.

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