About Us/History/Services
GARRY BERNARD COSTON, Commanding Chief/Executive Director, FRESH START
Garry B. Coston created, conceived and began FRESH START in August of 2004 in Sarasota, Florida. A 20 plus year U. S. Navy Armed Forces Veteran, serving and retiring at the rank and file of Chief Petty Officer (Air Warfare designation) from 1974 to 1994, Mr. Coston is no stranger regarding his advocacy and concern relative to those who are in need. FRESH START has been in existence since August of 2004 and has not deviated from its motto of service, "HELPING THE HOMELESS, NEEDY, UNDERPRIVILEGED & DISADVANTAGED." Mr. Coston is no stranger, himself, to the sect and demographic of our population who require help, assistance, and social services on a daily 24/7 basis. Having experienced social ills himself, Mr. Coston clearly understands the needs of those who contact FRESH START or who he may come in contact with that requires those services. Last but not least, FRESH START is headed and owned by God Almighty and not by any Man, Woman, Child or Human Being. I thank God for being able to "WORK FOR HIM" in helping and assisting those that are in need!
CHIEF PETTY OFFICER Garry B. Coston, U.S. Navy (Retired), 1974-1994, Work Center Chief, Division Chief, Department Chief, Assistant Administrative Officer
Chief Coston, Retired August 1, 1994, served from June 15, 1974 until the aforementioned retirement date. Chief Coston began his Navy career at the absolute bottom of the Navy rank and file as a Seaman Recruit, and worked his way through the ranks obtaining the Navy upper management senior enlisted rate/rank of Yeoman Chief Petty Officer, of Air Warfare designation on 1 September 1989. Upon obtaining the senior supervisory rate/rank of Yeoman First Class on 1 March 1984, from that date through to his promotion to Chief Petty Officer and then to retirement, Chief Coston was ranked the number one (1) Senior Supervisor and then once promoted to Chief, the number one (1) Chief Petty Officer at every division, department and command that he was assigned to. From promotion to First Class Petty Officer in which he also was the Leading Petty Officer, Admin Office Supervisor, Division Leading Petty Officer and later as a Leading Chief Petter Officer, Admin Office Chief, Division Chief, Department Chief, and Assistant Admin Officer, Chief Coston managed, allocated, maintained records and fiscal appropriations and monetary disbursement for 7 to 30 or more Sailors constantly demonstrating his administrative prowess and capabilities performing at a much higher level of rank, file and authority. As aforementioned, Chief Coston retired on 1 August 1994 and at the time of his retirement was assigned to Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 22 at Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, in Jacksonville Florida.
FRESH START.......WHERE ARE WE GOING? WHAT IS FRESH START'S PLANS AND GOALS?
FRESH START'S SHORT AND FUTURE PLANS AND GOALS ARE:
- Fresh Start Food Bank is currently in work and progressing and is currently still in the planning stage. The goal is to be fully operational for our clients and customers in early 2028.
- Fresh Start's Administrative & Corporate Office is in work and construction and should be finished and operative by 1 June 2026
- Substance Abuse and Addiction Halfway Houses - are currently in the planning stage. The plan is to have no less than 3 modular or mobile homes (or both). There will be no professional counseling or any psychological or medical services. The Houses will strictly be for released Jailed or Prison Inmates (temporary housing) who need housing while they search for jobs, etc. The Houses will also be for addicts which includes those individuals who are alcoholics, drug addicts, other substance abuse addictions, and any other addictions (obesity, etc.). Individuals who desire to stay longer will be evaluated for approval but must have permanent employment and show or have shown that they are responsible and have adhered to the rules, regulations, etc. while a resident at FRESH START Transient Housing.
SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE
1) TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT TRANSITIONAL SHELTER REFERRALS
2) DRUG, ALCOHOL, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT REFERRALS
3) SUBSTANCE ABUSE HALFWAY HOUSES
4) RELEASED JAIL/PRISON INMATE HALFWAY HOUSES AND/OR REFERRALS AND OTHER RESOURCE HELP UPON RELEASE
5) FOOD BANK AND/OR FOOD BANK REFERRALS
6) CLOTHING AND/OR CLOTHING REFERRALS
7) RESOURCES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HOUSING AND/OR REFERRALS OR OTHER REFERRALS FOR VETERANS
8) GODLY/BIBLICAL COUNSELING RELATIVE TO LIFE INCIDENTS, PROBLEMS
9) HOMELESS/RUNAWAY TEEN REFERRALS
10) HOMELESS AND PREGNANT FEMALES HOUSING AND RESOURCES
11) SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND/OR SSI APPLICATION AND INFORMATION
12) VETERANS DISABILITY APPLICATION AND INFORMATION
13) RESOURCES, INFORMATION, AND REFERRALS, BY/IF REQUESTED, FOR LGBTQ DEMOGRAPHICS
14) CRUTCHES, CANES, WALKERS, AND OTHER ITEMS REQUESTED AND/OR NEEDED BY DISABLED PERSONS
15) ANY OTHER ITEM OR SERVICE NOT LISTED BUT THAT FALL UNDER THE "SOCIAL SERVICE NEED" GENRE OR SECTOR