Community     Opportunity     Reintegration     Empowerment

The primary component of our CORE Program is to help our clients identify and access their strengths and resources both within themselves and within our community.  This starts with a desire for change, a connection and an inherent sense of trust.  Once an individual demonstrates a commitment to our program and a mutually-agreed upon plan, he or she is invited to utilize our case management services.  Clients tell us their stories and share their unique and very specific circumstances.  We then specialize in tailoring a very different path for each of our very different clients depending on their individual journey towards self-sufficiency.  In the beginning, critical needs are addressed such as immediate health concerns or basic human needs. Our clients each have access to a mailing address, hygiene products, and phones.

We strive to help each client reach individualized benchmarks that are achievable for him or her on the journey towards stability. Depending on the individual, clients can receive assistance with benefits they are entitled, help from medical and financial organizations, access to stabilization housing when appropriate; and assistance with transportation to and from appointments. Clients are always treated in an atmosphere that promotes trust, guarantees integrity, and ensures respect. We believe that these three values lay the groundwork for all future progress.

Emergency Interim Housing (One week to one month in duration) – Emergency Interim Housing in a Single Room Occupancy Hotel (SROs) is for clients who are experiencing an emergency hardship.  Reserved for a client who experiences an emergency medical situation (pre-operation or post-operation) or for a client who requires emergency bridge housing from one permanent residence to another.

Transitional Housing (One month or more) – We are able to end homelessness for our clients by keeping them off the streets while they are in the process of securing housing and income benefits. This is transitional housing in a Single Room Occupancy Hotel (SROs) for clients who have a definitive housing opportunity and an income source within a foreseeable timeframe.

• Nearly 68% of our clients will qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits due to their disabilities, however, nearly 70% of initial claims are denied. The entire appeal process can stretch out for more than two years and perhaps as long as three years. Our Transitional Housing Program ensures that these disabled individuals do not have to live on the streets while awaiting benefits that they are entitled.

Eviction Prevention (One time) – The reality is that each one of us experiences hardships at times and many of us are just one check away from experiencing true homelessness.  Preventing homelessness in the first place is the easiest way to reduce homelessness in the long run. With that in mind, we prevent evictions by providing one-time grants for rental arrears. Our clients or members of our community must demonstrate that they will be able to pay their rent going forward to receive this one-time help. This ensures that our assistance will solve the problem, rather than just postpone inevitable homelessness for a few months.

• 1 out of 3 people working today are one or two missed paychecks away from being homeless, especially the 37 million people currently living in poverty. (http://www.suitcaseclinic.org/homelessness-defined/)

Move-In Fund – Imagine you’ve just secured a housing opportunity for the first time, but are prevented from moving in because you cannot afford the first month’s rent and security deposit.  Our move-in fund can make the difference between someone accepting a housing opportunity or remaining on the streets.  With this fund, we provide critical items such as the first month’s rent and the security deposit.