Family Promise Of Berks County Inc

TO PROVIDE HOMELESS FAMILIES WITH TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATIONS AS WELL AS CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO HELP FAMILIES GAIN SELF SUFFICIENCY.

FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 OUTCOMES: HOSPITALITY NETWORK PROGRAM: THIS 90-DAY PROGRAM OFFERS CASE MANAGEMENT AND SHELTER TO HOMELESS FAMILIES. IT IS DESIGNED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE INDEPENDENCE WHILE ENGAGING PEOPLE WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS TO COME TOGETHER AND FORM LASTING PARTNERSHIPS. OUR UNIQUE MODEL RECOGNIZES THAT MAINTAINING FAMILY UNITS INCREASES SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES. THE LATTER ALLOWS COUPLES OR SINGLE PARENTS TO REMAIN WITH THEIR CHILDREN WHILE BEING SHELTERED VERSUS BEING SEPARATED BY GENDER. WE SERVE FAMILIES OF ALL COMPOSITIONS, KEEPING THEM IN A SAFE, PRIVATE, HOME-LIKE SETTING WITH SUPPORT FROM OUR NETWORK OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS. WITH THE ADDITION OF A THIRD SITE IN 2022-23, OUR CAPACITY HAS INCREASED TO 23 BEDS SERVING UP TO 6 FAMILIES AT A TIME.IN 2022-23, GUESTS WHO ENROLLED IN PROGRAMMING RECEIVED: *SAFE OVERNIGHT AND DAY SHELTER *PRIVATE SLEEPING SPACE FOR EACH FAMILY *HOUSING, EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE *COORDINATION OF SERVICES & REFERRALS *LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS *MEALS *MEDIATION *ADVOCACY A BRIDGE HOUSE WAS ADDED IN 2022-23 TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES FOR AN INITIAL 3-MONTH PERIOD, WITH THE OPTION OF RENEWAL FOR UP TO 12 MONTHS, WITH RENT OF 20% OF THEIR INCOME. THE PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE REGULAR, INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR FAMILIES, AND A TRANSITION PERIOD ON THE WAY TO PERMANENT HOUSING. OUTCOMES: *55 INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN OUR 90-DAY INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND HOSPITALITY SHELTER *36 WERE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 *17 FAMILIES WERE SERVED *2 SINGLE FATHER FAMILIES AND 3 TWO PARENT FAMILIES COULD NOT HAVE STAYED TOGETHER IN ANY OTHER SHELTER *3,316+ BED NIGHTS WERE PROVIDED *ALMOST 10,000 MEALS WERE SERVED *82 DAYS WAS THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY *86 OTHER FAMILIES, WITH 136 CHILDREN RECEIVED CASE MANAGEMENT *2 FAMILIES WERE SERVED IN THE BRIDGE HOUSE U-TURN PROGRAM:THIS PROGRAM OFFERS CASE MANAGEMENT AND DROP-IN CENTER FACILITIES TO UNACCOMPANIED/HOMELESS YOUTH IN BERKS COUNTY. IT IS DESIGNED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS ACHIEVE EDUCATIONAL, EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING STABILIZATION GOALS. OUR APPROACH TO SERVICE IS BASED ON COMMUNITY BUILDING AND COOPERATION.IN 2022-23, YOUTH WHO ENROLLED IN PROGRAMMING RECEIVED ASSISTANCE WITH: *HOUSING STABILIZATION *EMPLOYMENT SEARCH *INTERVIEW PREPARATION *BUDGET COUNSELING *EDUCATION PLANNING *MEDIATION *COUNSELING *COORDINATION OF SERVICES *REFERRALS *ADVOCACY *AN ADDRESS TO RECEIVE MAIL *TRANSPORTATION *LAUNDRY FACILITIES *SHOWER FACILITIES *KITCHEN FACILITIES *SOCIAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS *EDUCATION APPLICATIONS *FACILITATION OF COLLEGE TOURS *EDUCATION PROGRAMS *FAFSA APPLICATIONS OUTCOMES: *38 HOMELESS STUDENTS WORKED WITH CASE MANAGERS TO STABILIZE HOUSING INSECURITY *18 YOUTH GAINED EMPLOYMENT WHILE IN THE PROGRAM RENTAL & UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES TEMPORARY RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS FACING A HOUSING CRISIS. HOMELESSNESS CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH EARLY INTERVENTION. THE LATTER REDUCES OVERALL COST OF SERVICE FOR PROVIDERS AND THE COMMUNITY ALIKE. IN 2022-23, QUALIFYING INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE WITH: *MEDIATION *ADVOCACY *COUNSELING *EDUCATION PROGRAMS *TRAINING PROGRAMS *REFERRALS TO SERVICE PARTNERS *MONITORING AND COORDINATION OF SERVICES *HABITABILITY INSPECTION *LEAD-BASED PAINT ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING UNIT OUTCOMES: *100% OF THE INDIVIDUALS SERVED WITH RENT & UTILITY ASSISTANCE ENTERED POSITIVE PERMANENT HOUSING DESTINATIONS *21 FAMILIES RECEIVED ASSISTANCE THROUGH RAPID REHOUSING *25 FAMILIES RECEIVED ASSISTANCE THROUGH HOMELESS PREVENTION *OVER $90,000 OF ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED