Programs for Families
helping families return to self-sufficiency.
During the fiscal year 2010-2011, Shelter Network served 4,658 people, including 1,655 children. Over 90% of families graduating from our transitional shelters secured and maintained permanent housing.
A Hand Up. Not a Hand Out.
While Shelter Network's programs are free to clients, they provide much more than a bed and a meal for a night. Shelter Network's programs focus on creating long-term solutions to homelessness, not temporary fixes. Typically, in less than 100 days the program has successfully arrested the cycle of homelessness by teaching families the life skills they need to rapidly secure - and maintain - a stable income, family support, and permanent housing to ensure their long-term self-sufficiency.
Case Management
When a family enters a Shelter Network program, Case Managers begin by conducting a thorough assessment of their situation and creating a case plan. In addition to the case plan, the Case Manager also provides information, referrals, and assistance in accessing community resources and services to help with job development, housing searches, finance and budgeting, credit counseling, advocacy, health insurance and services, and securing child care.
Clients are also referred to job training programs in order to help them qualify for higher-paying employment. Weekly life skills workshops are mandatory on topics such as financial literacy and effective budgeting; housing and legal rights; parenting, nutrition, job and housing search; and interviewing skills.
Other practical assistance such as bus tickets, telephone access, clothing, food, infant supplies, laundry, furniture and household goods are all provided.
Emphasis on Savings
To support our clients' growing financial self-reliance there is a mandatory savings program. They save at least 50% of their income in a savings account held by Shelter Network on their behalf. By encouraging parents to adopt a regular habit of saving, this program helps families build long-term self-sufficiency. They also create a fund for their first month's rent and security deposit as they prepare to graduate from the program and return to permanent housing.
Programs for Children
Shelter Network has a comprehensive Children's Program that provides individualized academic and emotional support, referrals to additional services, and structured tutoring and enrichment activities. At the family shelters in San Mateo and in Menlo Park, there is a free on-site therapeutic childcare center that provides day care for toddlers and preschoolers, enabling parents to work or search for jobs or housing while saving more money. The therapeutic program and curriculum in the childcare centers also provide the support needed to help young children overcome the trauma of homelessness. All four family shelters offer Homework Club and a wide variety of activities.
Ongoing Support
Studies show that that if a family remains in permanent housing for a year after an episode of homelessness; they are unlikely to become homelessness again. Shelter Network offers follow up Case Management services for up to six months following graduation from its programs. Additionally, the Bridges program helps working families who have an adult family member in school or in a job training program with temporary rent subsidies while that family member is in school or in a training program.
Take a Tour
Come for a tour of one of Shelter Network's family shelters. See firsthand how volunteers, donors and staff are making lasting differences in the lives of people in need in our community. Contact Chris Canter, Development Director: ccanter@shelternetwork.org or (650) 685-5880 ext. 115.
Watch How Shelter Network is Changing LivesPlease visit the Shelter Network YouTube channel to view Shelter Network-related videos. |