OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A group of community leaders came together Aug. 13, to address an issue that is endemic nationwide.

The meeting opened a dialog between area agencies and how they can work in concert to help those who are in need, and in many cases homeless.

One of those agencies is Veterans Helping Veterans USA, who has become more visible within the community, that even non-veterans are coming to their doors.

The philosophy of the organization has changed, where they’re not only going to help just veterans, but people who are in need of help, without sacrificing care for the veterans who are in need of their programs.

The agencies all offer different programs, however, some of their grants only cover certain aspects, with all of them facing financial challenges, which is another reason for the organizations to collaborate, understanding there is a problem, and what can they do to address those issues together.

Continuum of Care is now known as the Homeless Alliance and it meets the last Tuesday of every month.

“We do coordinate all of the homeless services for everyone in Marion County,” said Charles Rich, Marion County community development and human services administrator. “Homeless Alliance, that’s where all of the groups get funded by Marion County. We meet once a month to coordinate those services, so we have the right service at the right time, rightservicefl.org. That lists all of the services that are available in Marion County to anyone who needs a service.”