At a recent Pompano Beach commission meeting, the conversation shifted toward one of the city’s most urgent challenges: homelessness and housing affordability. What emerged was a mix of community frustration, bold ideas, and a clear call for stronger city leadership. A Resident Steps Forward Local resident Rodrick Phillips, who volunteers with a men’s outreach group, urged commissioners to take a more proactive approach. He proposed forming a dedicated board—one that would in

BROWARD COUNTY This free bus helps Fort Lauderdale’s homeless. But it's running out of money By Amanda Rosa January 14, 2026 5:30 AM People ride on the bus run by Rotary Connection, a nonprofit initiative that offers free bus transportation to social services around the city, to LifeNet4Families on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com Vandella Brown woke up Monday morning to harsh news. She was being discharged from the

Out South Florida explores Rotary Connection through the lens of inclusion, dignity, and intentional design for marginalized communities.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis delivers the annual State of the City speech at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Sept. 29, 2025. Darlene Kamperveen Courtesy of the City of Fort Lauderdale As he touted Fort Lauderdale’s “great renaissance,” Mayor Dean Trantalis addressed a major issue still affecting the city during his State of the City address Monday night: homelessness. “Homelessness remains one of our greatest challenges facing our community,” Trantalis said during hi

The Rotary Connection shuttle was unveiled earlier this month. Pictured are members of Rotary and their partners. [Photos by Andrew Whited/New Pelican] By Andrew Whited | New Pelican Writer Fort Lauderdale – The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale has launched a free shuttle service to transport homeless individuals to the institutions that provide them with assistance. Launched earlier this month and supported by the Florida Blue Foundation, the “Rotary Connection” shuttle aims t

The Sun Sentinel highlights the personal recovery journeys and peer-led support that power Rotary Connection’s free transportation service for people experiencing homelessness.

The Miami Herald highlights the launch of Rotary Connection, a first-of-its-kind free bus service in Fort Lauderdale connecting people experiencing homelessness to healthcare, housing support, legal aid, and essential social services across Broward County.

Caplin News examines Rotary Connection as a collaborative response to transportation gaps affecting people experiencing homelessness in Broward County.