MR. GARRY B. COSTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FOUNDER (2020 PHOTO)

Hi; I'm Garry B. Coston, Executive Director and Founder of FRESH START. Before I continue, let me make it abundantly clear, without any misunderstanding, that GOD Almighty is the Head of this Agency; I only direct, manage, and run it FOR Him. I AM ACCOUNTABLE ONLY TO ALMIGHTY GOD IN THE DIRECTING, MANAGING, AND SUPERVISION OF THIS AGENCY AND THOSE WHO HE APPOINTS AND PLACES UNDER MY DIRECTION, MANAGING, AND SUPERVISION.

FRESH START has been in existence for almost 18 years and was founded by myself and the late Mr. Benjamin Hampton who was homeless, and beset with numeorus social problems in which I cannot mention, but Ben helped me immensely, at the outset, to launch and create FRESH START. I sorely miss my buddy but know that he is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven.

My personal background and experience entails graduating from Sarasota High School in 1974, a member of the United States Navy from 1974 to 1994 retiring at the rank of Chief Petty Officer, graduating from American Intercontinental University with a degree in Business Administration, and finally, launching, creating and starting FRESH START in 2004. From 1994, after retiring and leaving the United States Navy, until 2004, I held numerous Administrative, Clerical, and Customer Service Management jobs in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Hallandale Florida. I am also a Musician, Songwriter, Vocalist, Band Frontman, Song Lyricist, and Music Composer.

I am an adamant, serious, and aggressive advocate for the homeless and and those in need and can get very defensive, and rightfully so, when I feel that they are being mistreated or treated unjustly. I myself am not altogether proud of it but glad I experienced it, but I myself was homeless in South Florida, for a year or two, after breaking up with my then partner and significant other. Therefore, in support of that fact, there is nothing that no one, or any other organization can really teach me or tell me relative to homelessness, and how a homeless person feels and how they became homeless; I've lived it, smelled it, tasted it, and know it. Not proud of it, but glad that God allowed me to go through it. That experience alone helps me, on a daily basis, to better serve, help and understand the homeless and all others who are in need. 

Last but not least, I am a born again Christian. God Almighty, the Maker and Creator of all things and everything is my Father and my God. Jesus Christ, who is God Almighty, is my Lord, God and Savior, and I will not shove this down anyone's throat or try to convert anyone; however, if you ask me my views, I will share them with you and back them up with biblical scripture. I am honored and humbled that the Lord God called me to work and advocate on behalf of those who are less fortunate, and also has blessed and immersed me with so many administrative, clerical, leadership, managerial, musical, and other talents and hobbies that I have but have not shared or mentioned. If you desire to speak with me relative to FRESH START, or anything else please go to the "contact us" page of this website, and give me a nudge, contact, or call. I love you all, may God richly bless you in everyway, and I am here for you if you need me.

GARRY B. COSTON, FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

(THE LATE) MR. RONALD L. MOORE, EXECUTIVE LEVEL ASSISTANT & CONSULTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I met Mr. Ron Moore, via Mr. Daniel Hensley, in 2009 in Bradenton, Florida. Upon getting to know Ron, he began to show interest in providing his talents to help those in need with FRESH START. Mr. Coston immediately asked Ron to provide his administrative and clerical talents, with FRESH START, for those who are in need. As Executive Assistant for the Agency, Ron was the "right arm" so to to speak in administrative, clerical, human resources, and other "jack of all trade" matters and issues that arose. Ron graduated from High School and shortly thereafter served his stint within the United States Navy in the Administrative/Clerical Field. Ron was also a born again Christian who loved Jesus Christ. We sorely miss Ron as he passed away to be with the Lord on February 2, 2019. At the time of his passing, Ron worked with FRESH START for over 9 years, and we know, and are certain, that now he is with the Lord, and, we miss him dearly, and we are thankful and grateful to have had him as a member of our team!

(THE LATE) MR. BENJAMIN (CHICAGO) HAL HAMPTON, FOUNDER/CUSTOMER ADMIN REPRESENTATIVE - BEN PASSED AWAY ON JULY 6TH, 2013

Benjamin Hampton met Garry Coston in February of 2005 down at the boat docks on 10th street while Garry was doing a stint of homelessness "on purpose" in order to prepare to launch and create FRESH START. The boat docks at 10th Street in Sarasota is known to be frequented by the homeless, the indigent, drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, etc. Benjamin came up to Garry's van panhandling and the two began conversation. When Ben found out that Garry was starting a new social service agency to serve those in need, he begged to be a part of it, and Garry said yes. FRESH START's first Clients were provided by Ben from the Salvation Army and 10th Street area in Sarasota. Ben also assisted Garry in answering phone calls for customer service, intakes, counseling, and administrative and clerical assistance. We sorely miss Ben, but know that he is in Heaven helping and serving our Lord Jesus Christ. We will never forget the impact that Ben had on FRESH START, and of course myself.

OTHER HONORABLE MENTION PERSONS OF NOTE WHO PLAYED AN INTEGRAL PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FRESH START SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY

(THE LATE) MR. DANIEL. T. HENSLEY, CLIENT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR TECHNICIAN, AND MAINTENANCE & REPAIR MAN FOR THE AGENCY AND CLIENTS - DAN PASSED AWAY ON AUGUST 26, 2014

(THE LATE) MR. CHRISTOPHER (ET) B. LEMMONS, ASSISTANT MAINTENANCE PERSON FOR THE AGENCY AND CLIENTS (WITH DAN HENSLEY) - "ET" PASSED AWAY ON APRIL 4, 2014 

OUR BUSINESS

FRESH START SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY was initially founded in 2004 by Garry B. Coston, and later in 2005 co-founded along with the late Mr. Benjamin Hal Hampton. FRESH START is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) Social Service Agency that caters to, and helps and assists all who are in need which includes the homeless, all who are needy, underprivileged and disadvantaged. To learn more about us and the services we provide, and the deomographic of the population that we provide services to, please click on the "services" button above.

OUR BUSINESS is helping all who are homeless, needy, underprivileged, disadvantaged, disabled, displaced, elderly, and all others not mentioned!

OUR PURPOSE is to provide direct case and information/referral social service resources  to anyone who is homeless, needy, underprivileged, and disadvantaged; no one will be turned away.

PRIMARY MISSION AND GOALS STATMENT - to defend the poor and the fatherless, do justice to the afflicted and the needy, and deliver the poor nd need from injustice and unjust practices (derived from Psalms 82:3-4 out of the Holy Bible).

SECONDARY/RELATED MISSION AND GOALS STATEMENT - To provide premier, top notch social services to the homeless, needy, and underprivileged, and others who are in need, in order to eliminate the root causes of people becoming homeless, thus enabling them to return as viable, productive and useful members of society.

OUR MOTTO is "Helping those that are homeless, needy, underprivileged and disadvantaged."

OUR SUBMOTTO is "Our business is helping those that are homeless, needy, underprivileged and disadvantaged."

FUNDRAISING, DONATIONS, AND SUPPORT. We sorely need your donations and financial and other type support (food, etc.). To donate and provide financial or other support to FRESH START, please mail your contributions, in the way of a personal check, cashier's check, or money order to: FRESH START SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY, P. O. BOX 546, LAKE CITY, FLORIDA 32056. Ensure to make them out to: FRESH START SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY. You may also donate by accessing our FACEBOOK page at: http://www.facebook.com/FRESHSTARTSOCIALSERVICEAGENCY. If you have any questions in this regard, please contact us via the contact info for FRESH START on each WEBSITE PAGE in the upper right hand corner, or our contact info can also be found in the "CONTACT US" section of this website.

DONATE OR GIVE YOUR FINANCIAL DONATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO FRESH START NOW AND TODAY! HELP THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED!

(THE LATE) MR. CHRISTOPHER B. LEMMONS

GARRY B. COSTON AND (THE LATE) BENJAMIN (CHICAGO) HAMPTON, PURPOSELY LIVING HOMELESS OUT OF MY VAN AT THE BOAT DOCKS ON 10TH STREET, SARASOTA, FL IN 2005. I WAS CREATING AND FORMING FRESH START AT THAT TIME AND WANTED TO ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS IN ORDER TO BETTER SERVE OUR CLIENTS ONCE THE AGENCY WAS UP AND RUNNING

GARRY B. COSTON IN FRESH START OFFICE IN 2008

GARRY B. COSTON IN FRESH START OFFICE IN 2009

GARRY B. COSTON IN FRESH START OFFICE IN 2010

FRESH START STAFF/VOLUNTEERS/EMPLOYEES 2011; FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: THE LATE MR. DANIEL HENSLEY, THE LATE MR. CHRISTOPHER LEMMONS, AND THE LATE MR. RONALD MOORE.