Housing
We are a Housing First model, in that our goal is to provide 12 month leases to our tenants. This is a core component of our program, and everyone in our program lives in our dormitory style housing onsite as a rent paying tenant. Our belief is that everyone needs a safe place to call home, and that is a prerequisite to stabilization and subsequent moving to self-sufficiency. Housing is the first step, and it is provided as part of our program.
Facilities for all tenants will include a bed, closet, book case and area for personal possessions. Secure storage for larger items are available. Bathrooms are shared. Common area for all tenants include community rooms, library, entertainment area, laundry area, and computer access. All meals are included in our program and provided in the dining room.
Most of our clients are referred into our program through a sponsoring agency or organization. Often, this agency is providing need-based rental assistance. This assistance often includes all or part of 1st and last months rent, and also security deposit. Some organizations provide additional financial assistance but not always. Because the sponsoring agency first engaged with the client, they typically establish Case Management services with the client. This relationship is important, and we ask that it is maintained throughout the tenant lease.
Mental Health
If you are not self-sufficient, you need mental health services. It’s that simple. Imagine you don’t have housing. Many without housing do actually have a job, but it’s a major struggle to keep it. Either way, without housing, there’s a lot of stress! Not knowing where your next meal is – that’s anxiety inducing.
Many people struggling to become self -sufficient suffer from depression, bi-polar, schizophrenia and other illness. Sometimes as a precursor but also as a result of their situation, addiction is very common. Debating which came first doesn’t resolve the inevitable emotional pain and turmoil of what is years in the making.
We believe mental health services is a key component of successfully moving people to self-sufficiency. Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. Rather, it needs to be dealt with in a caring and supportive manner, which many in our professional medical community know how to do.
The key is to bring existing mental health professionals to our facility so that the treatment plan is actually delivered and received. Additionally, our supportive community provides multiple touch points, so care givers have a more accurate and consistent understanding of their client’s progress. Peer support further encourages individual responsibility and progress.
Employment
We partner with local businesses in different industries that need stable, qualified and experienced employees. They partner with us because they know our candidates are housed and stable, and are coming from a supportive environment where their needs are being met. Our candidates have been through training that our partners have approved, and relates to their needs at their company. Our candidates have relevant experience, having completed a 4 month internship/apprenticeship that our partner can verify onsite.
This is a win-win partnership. Everyone knows the unemployment rate is super low and unfilled positions restrict growth. Turnover from unstable or unqualified employees is costly. Our business partners rely on us to provide excellent candidates for full-time employment.
In return, our candidates benefit from relevant training that often includes guest appearances from our business partners. This enables our participants to network and develop a relationship with potential employers slowly over time, rather then in a one-time pressure filled interview. Together, we earn success and build confidence.
Job Training
We’ve identified 10 different work areas. The criteria are: Currently hiring locally; Pays minimum $30,000/year; Career path available
Each work area has a training partner that conducts a 4-8 week training program onsite. Participants are paid during this hands-on training. After completing the training, the participant is employed onsite for an internship/apprenticeship program that typically lasts 4 months.
The work areas offered at any given time will vary depending on availability and the interests of our current residents. In some cases, members from the local community may for a fee participate in the training as well. Example work areas include: Culinary, Construction, Coffee shop, Hospitality, Security, Landscaping
Food
It sustains us. We need it every day. Preferably three times a day. But that’s just the beginning. We really need it to be wholesome and nutritious. It ought to be delicious. Sadly, for many people in our city, access to healthy food is a daily challenge. In DPS, the percentage of kids receiving free and reduced lunch is a staggering 67%! Once those kids are out of the school system, the food challenges don’t go away.
We also believe food can be so much more than calories, taste and nutrition. Urban farming has taken off because for many people getting ones hands dirty helps reestablish the connection between soil, plants, harvest and the satisfaction that can only come when eating something fresh out of the ground. It is a way to feed ones soul. It can provide ‘grounding’ in the sense of serenity, a way to calm ones nerves, and to create a sense of hope, growth and change – not only for the plants but even for oneself.
Our program provides all meals provided in our onsite dining room prepared by residents in our culinary training program. We access donated ingredients through our partner food pantry provider.