ORLANDO, Fla. – Mayor Buddy Dyer announced the opening of a one-stop location victims' families can get support after this week's deadly shooting at the Pulse Nightclub.
The Family Assistance Center officially opened at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Camping World Stadium, formerly known as the Citrus Bowl.
"The Funeral Directors Association has stepped up. So many churches have stepped up saying if you need a venue we're going to offer our venue for free," said Dyer.
Services available to the families and friends include:
• Air Travel
• Child And Family Services
• Consulate Services
• Counseling/spiritual Care
• Crime Victim Services
• Funeral Services
• Ground Transportation
• Health Care Assistance
• Identification Documents
• Language Translation
• Legal Aid
• Lodging
• Medical Examiner
• Senior Services
Each agency will be paying for the services themselves; the City of Orlando is simply providing the space to do it, said Dyer.
"Because we have suites, we can do more private activities. If somebody needs some private counseling, we have use of the whole building," he said.
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs says the number of agencies stepping forward to help is proof that Orlando and Central Florida are not only strong, they're here for each other.
"That's the way our entire community feels. That's why we had 5,000 people show up and wanting to give blood. They feel the same way, and that's what makes us so special."
Families wanting help should enter Gate E at Camping World Stadium, the former site of Tinker Field.
More Information can be found on the City's website: www.Cityoforlando.net/FamilyAssistanceCenter, or call 407-246-4357.