The public is invited to attend a community summit for the 10-year Plan to End Homelessness. This summit is the culmination of an eight-month initiative to develop a plan to end homelessness and prevent future homelessness in our community, according Karen B. Hawes, director of Lee County Human Services.

Hundreds of community members were involved in developing the recommended goals and strategies which will be presented for public comment.

This Summit will take place Friday, February 27, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers, 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers, 33912. (Shire Lane runs North of Daniels Parkway, midway between I-75 and Six Mile Cypress) Two sessions are scheduled at at 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Phillip Mangano, director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, is scheduled to speak at the first session.

In March 2008 the Lee County community became the 300th jurisdiction in the nation to commit to a 10-year plan to end homelessness. The Community Human Services Council awarded the proposal to implement this project to Dr. Tina Gelpi, assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy and Community Health at FGCU and Debra Lynne, a consultant who has an extensive background in working with homeless individuals.