Together we can
make a
Difference!
Through outreach we work to form connections for real people in real need. We host drives to fill wishes but most importantly to send a message that no one is left behind or forgotten.
Being without food
clothing or safe shelter
is not a choice
- There are 257,252 community members in Broward currently living below the poverty line.
- In 2023, approximately 19% of children aged 5 to 17 in Broward County were living in poverty.
- Over 100 families without a place to sleep on any given night in Broward County.
- Over 2,800 men, women and children are without a home in Broward County
This free bus brings Fort Lauderdale’s homeless to resources they need
Most people take transportation for granted. It’s pretty simple to hop in a car, Uber, train or bus to get from point A to point B. But for homeless people in South Florida, the task is daunting. Dozens of organizations in Fort Lauderdale offer services and resources — food, shelter, medical care, job training, clothing — to the city’s homeless population. But none offered a solution to a fundamental problem: free, safe and welcoming transportation to get there.
Over a
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Over
Real people in real need.
“I lost everything when my RV brokedown, I search the garbage for food that has not been spoiled yet to get by. I haven’t had a phone to connect with my family, now that I can I feel there is hope for me” -JJ
One Saturday after helping someone find new glasses through the free glasses program we ran into them and were met with a beaming smile ”now that I have glasses I can see to do my makeup, to do my hair. It makes me want to dress nicer, clean up and do good things for myself” -P.L.
“I’ve never been to school before, I learn from youtube but I like it here, people are nice, can I come back tomorrow, will you be here to play with me?” – 7 year old, M.C.
“I’m 70 years old, my landlord raised my rent giving one months notice, for the first time in my life I have nothing but this bag, there is no housing available, I am on a waitlist that I was told take many more months, I keep checking.” -R.B.
Community Impact: Meals & Support for Unsheltered Neighbors
Through a partnership with 5th Street Temple Church, Sam led an 8-week meal initiative, distributing over 1,200 lunches directly to unsheltered neighbors. Beyond meals, this effort helped:
1 individual reconnect with family and return home
1 individual enroll in medical care
2 individuals begin recovery through rehab programs
This story shows how consistent care leads to life-changing outcomes.
The Wish
Connect Mission
The mission of WishConnect is to provide people living without a home or in extreme poverty with everyday useful items that can improve their lives and the possibility of friendship, housing and job placement through awareness and donations. WishConnect is an online marketplace that connects people to communities. The platform offers a variety of services, including advocacy, education, direct donations, and job placement boards.
WishConnects goal is to make it easy and convenient for busy people to learn about those in need and easily offer help. The charity has had personal contact with all of those listed on the site. Volunteer hours and receipt of donated items are available upon request.
Message from the founder
I started this organization with one simple mission: to connect individuals in need with resources that could be life-changing. Through conversations, listening, and understanding, I’ve discovered that sometimes, a single item—a set of fins to pair with a fishing license, a month’s rent and furniture to help a family secure stable housing, or guidance through the process of applying for Social Security—can transform a life.
None of this would have been possible without the values instilled in me by my family: the unwavering belief that kindness should be prioritized, that no act is too small, and that doing good should always be the goal. The steadfast support and encouragement from the Volunteer Leadership Council, The Fort Lauderdale Rotary, and the Rotary Community Corps have reinforced these principles, showing me the true power of collective action. Their volunteer spirit and dedication have shaped me, not just as a participant, but as a lifelong change-maker—never a silent club member, never just a name on a list.
I have witnessed firsthand what happens when people step up, take action, and work toward a better future. Being part of the Rotary Community Corps is an honor, and their unmatched support—through mentorship and committed volunteers—has made all the difference. Now, I look forward to teaching and collaborating with other students to pass on this commitment to change.
I am not unique—I am simply one dedicated volunteer, ready to make a difference. Are you ready to join me?
Get Involved
Become a landlord, offer a job or donation
Sign Up to Volunteer
Submit a request for help(confidential)
Sign Up To Host a Drive
Strategy
WishConnect provides a platform for members of our community, from all walks of life, to connect with those in greater need. Through requests from food to household items, clothing to toys, blankets to jobs and housing we aim to form a connection to help those in need so that everyone in our community may thrive.
Strategic Activities
We invest time in people to improve their lives and build community in Broward County.
We create donation lists by real people in real need. Through outreach we fill these needs to help send not only needed items but most importantly a message that they are not forgotten and they are cared about by others within the community.
