About Us/Fresh start history

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FRESH START initially began at my Mother's House in August 2004 in Sarasota Florida. There I hatched out the operational plan, business plan, corporate mandates and requirements for Florida, and federal mandates and requirements as well. I had just moved from Southern Florida, the City of Fort Lauderdale in August of 2004, and hung out with my Mom, Maebelle Rowry, and Step-Father, Mr. J. C. Rowry while giving birth to FRESH START. I moved out of my Mother's House in February of 2005 and decided to purposely "go homeless" one more time, one last time, so I would never forget how it feels not having a roof over my head; yes, I had money, lots of it, and a monthly paycheck to boot, but I would put most of that on hold for the exception of money for gas, food and hygiene. Where was I parking/living? Down on the Waterfront in Sarasota Florida at the end of 10th Street; this is where the homeless, drug addicts, prostitutes, vagrants, ex-cons, and low lifes hung out; and it would be there, for almost a year, where I would learn quite a bit about this demographic of our population that I would help and serve for many years to come. One evening while typing on my computer in my car, a drunk young man, Mr. Benjamin Hal Hampton, who everyone called "Chicago" staggered up to my car. He asked me, "What are you doing?" I told him I was typing plans and other requirements for my new agency to help those in need. He opened the door, got in and sat down. I asked him, "what the hell are you doing?" He told me to tell him more and I did. He begged me to let him help me because there were a lot of people in that area that really needed help, i.e., food, clothing, shelter, referrals to drug and alcohol treatment, etc. So, I explained to him that I was purposely living out of my van in order to be homeless for at least a year so I would never forget how it feels to be homeless; he told me that he didn't mind and he'd like to hang out with me and that he would help bring clients to me. The next 11 months were very adventurous and exciting with Mr. Hampton. Mr. Hampton (Ben) provided me with my very first clients and assisted me administratively until he passed away, suddenly and sadly, in July of 2013. This is why Mr. Hampton's name is forever attached to Fresh Start Social Service Agency LLC of Florida; because he was, and always will be a Founder with our Agency. We've had our ups and downs over the years, and many changes due to my health and other reasons, etc., but FRESH START is of God and belongs to God, and this is always kept in prominence, at the forefront, and in retrospect over all else relative to the existence, operations, and success of our Agency!

 MR. GARRY B. COSTON, FOUNDER, COMMANDING CHIEF, AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (2021 PHOTO) 

Hi; I'm Garry B. Coston, Commanding Chief and 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, MANAGEMENT, AND SUPERVISION.

FRESH START has been in existence for 19 years and was founded by myself and the late Mr. Benjamin Hampton who was homeless and beset with numerous 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 (Air Warfare), 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 those who are 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 Almighty 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" section at the bottom of the "home"  page of this website, and give me a nudge, contact, or call. I love you all, and may God richly bless you in every way, and I am here for you if you need me.

GARRY B. COSTON, COMMANDING CHIEF/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FRESH START 

WHERE DOES FRESH START OPERATE? WHERE IS FRESH START'S PRIMARY LOCATION? 

OUR LOCATION, EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2021 IS IN RURAL SUWANNEE COUNTY IN O'BRIEN, FLORIDA (UNINCORPORATED). WE ALSO OPERATE THORUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA; HOWEVER, OUR PRIMARY LOCATION(S) OF OPERATIONS ARE IN THREE (3) DISTRICTS OF COUNTIES IN FLORIDA; DISTRICT ONE IS COMPRISED OF THE COUNTIES OF SARASOTA, MANATEE, HARDEE, AND DESOTO COUNTIES; DISTRICT TWO IS COMPRISED OF THE COUNTIES OF COLUMBIA, SUWANNEE, HAMILTON, DIXIE, AND LAFAYETTE COUNTIES; DISTRICT THREE IS COMPRISED OF THE COUNTIES OF HOLMES, JACKSON, WALTON, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES IN THE EXTREME WESTERN PORTION OF THE PANHANDLE. HOWEVER, OUR AREA(S) OF OPERATION ARE NOT RESTRICTED TO JUST THESE THREE DISTRICTS; WE RECEIVE CALLS FOR HELP AND ASSISTANCE FROM ALL OF FLORIDA AND THROUGHOUT THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, AND, THANKS TO MODERN TECHNOLOGY, WE ARE NOT RESTRICTED TO "NOT BEING ABLE TO HELP." IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS RELATIVE TO OUR HELP PROVISIONS, PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE "HOME/CONTACT US SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE, OR FEEL FREE TO GIVE US A CALL OR EMAIL US!

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 at that time was 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, 10th Street, and other areas in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Ben also assisted Garry in answering phone calls for customer service, intakes, counseling, food acquisition and distribution, 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. Rest easy my Friend, Garry has had the watch since you left in July of 2013!

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

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

RONALD L. MOORE - PASSED FEBRUARY OF 2019 -  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!