Bithlo Outreach Center – SALT Outreach

SALT, an acronym that stands for Service and Love Together, is a ministry organization with the mission of sharing Christ's love by serving the unsheltered through comprehensive mobile outreach centers. 

Each of SALT Outreach's Centers were created to help meet immediate needs, catalyze permanent housing solutions, and empower self-sufficiency.

We help meet immediate needs such as showers, laundry, food, hygiene products, clothing, haircuts, mail services, storage services, and charging stations. We help to catalyze permanent housing solutions and empower self-sufficiency through our case management, mental health counseling, and spiritual care teams.

Our vision is that every metropolitan area in the US has a comprehensive outreach center for people experiencing homelessness.

2025 was SALT Outreach’s most impactful year. SALT served over 3,500 different people with 180,000 services and resources. SALT helped to lead 391 people into housing through its case management team and also in collaboration with other organizations.

The Bithlo Outreach Center operates within Transformation Village—Center for Wellbeing, strategically positioned to address the complex needs of Bithlo, a historically marginalized and rural community on the eastern edge of Orange County. Many residents face significant impoverishment and systemic barriers. Key challenges include access to clean water, housing jobs, and transportation. Compounding these issues is the critical absence of homeless shelters in East Orlando, which results in extensive camping by unsheltered individuals.

In collaboration with United Global Outreach (UGO) and partners like Orange County's Better Access to Treatment (BAT) Mobile Unit, our work is focused on mitigating these challenges and providing essential services to the unsheltered community in Bithlo, operating Sunday (12pm–4pm) and Monday–Thursday (10am–5pm). We do this through:

• Direct Services & Supplies: We provide showers and laundry services. The Change Trailer provides hygiene, clothing, and phone/device charging services.
• Mail and Storage: Through our Mail Program, we offer mailbox and in-person mail access. Secure personal storage for client belongings is provided via the Storage Bus.
• Support: Case Management is available Monday–Thursday. Our case management team assists our clients towards their housing goals and past any barriers they are facing.
• Community:  In collaboration with the United Global Outreach team, Peer Support Specialists engage with guests to facilitate connections to critical addiction recovery resources Sunday-Thursday. In the Summer, the Red House operates as a Cooling Site 7 days a week and over the Winter, as a Warming Shelter on designated Cold Nights. The center hosts AA/NA Recovery Meetings on Thursdays. In partnership with Orange County’s Better Access to Treatment (BAT) Mobile Unit, they provide group therapy on Mondays and HIV/Hep C testing on Mondays and Tuesdays. Our onsite clinic partners—including STEPs, Clear Futures, and Recovery Connections—offer specialized addiction and mental health treatment Monday–Thursday. CareerSource provides essential employment resources every Wednesday. On Fridays, while SALT is not in operation, Clean the World ensures continued access to showers and hygiene supplies. Transformation Village additionally features a community garden and serves lunch daily. Furthermore, we conduct street outreach alongside UGO to serve unsheltered individuals not yet familiar with the site.

Volunteering FAQs:

Our mission could not be accomplished without people like you serving alongside us! We offer morning and afternoon volunteer shifts. Prior to beginning your first service, SALT staff will provide a comprehensive orientation and a tour of the outreach center. We invite you to engage in compassionate conversations with guests receiving services. While we encourage you to document and share your volunteer experience, we ask that you respect our guests' privacy and refrain from photographing anyone's face. Throughout your shift, a SALT team member will remain nearby to provide support or answer questions.

Where should I park?

Volunteers may use any open parking spaces situated on N County Rd 13 or 11th Ave. SALT is positioned near the "Red House."

Since parking on-site is limited, we encourage carpooling if you are attending with a group. If you need further assistance with parking as a group, please reach out to: volunteer@saltoutreach.org

Where should I go to sign in after I park?

Upon your arrival, please inform any staff member that you are volunteering so they may introduce you to a SALT volunteer coordinator.

What should I wear?

There are various tasks and work environments you may encounter when volunteering with SALT; therefore, we recommend wearing loose fitted, comfortable clothing that you are not afraid of getting stained, torn or soiled. Please follow the dress code provided below:

Tops:  Plain T-shirts, non-offensive graphics tee's, loose breathable fabrics.

Shorts: Knee or above knee length, loose breathable fabrics.

Pants: Khakis, cargos, sweats, scrubs, jeans, loose breathable fabrics.

Shoes: Sneakers, closed toe shoes. 

Jewelry: Limit or hide large/long chains, no large hoop earrings, or excessive rings (you may be wearing gloves).

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

For any questions, you may contact: volunteer@saltoutreach.org

How do I know how many hours I have volunteered and who can sign my form? 

The volunteer coordinator may sign your form and provide a letter of verification if needed. To confirm your hours, you may check via your volunteer portal or reach out to: volunteer@saltoutreach.org

Where should I go if I want to donate to or support SALT Outreach?

To buy some SALT Swag,click here.

To access our Amazon Wishlist,click here.

To sign up for our Newsletter,click here.

If you would like to make a donation to SALT,click here.

What in-kind items can I donate?

Men's clothing: pants, underwear (new), shorts, t-shirts, sneakers, work boots, sweaters and jackets. 

Women's clothing: casual clothes, sneakers, work boots, sweaters and jackets.

For weather relief: Ponchos, raincoats, umbrellas, bandanas, sun hats, and ball caps.

For sleep: Sleeping bags and blankets.

For storage: Backpacks, small luggage, wagons, small carts, and reusable bags.

For hygiene: Nail clippers, q-tips, lotion for sensitive skin, after sun care, bug repellant, wet wipes, and deodorant.

For hydration: Reusable or insulated water bottles and cooling towels.

Miscellaneous: Sunglasses and reading glasses.

How should I drop off my in-kind donations?

To schedule a drop-off, you may contact: volunteer@saltoutreach.org