Travelers Aid Society Of Philadelphia

FAMILIES FORWARD PHILADELPHIA'S MISSION IS TO HELP FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS BECOME HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE, AND SELF-RELIANT. WE TREAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT; (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)

THE FAMILY RESIDENCE, A LARGE RESIDENTIAL FACILITY LOCATED IN WEST PHILADELPHIA, HAS 65 PRIVATE ROOMS FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. WE SERVE APPROXIMATELY 500 INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR, 60% OF WHOM ARE CHILDREN. WE SPECIALIZE IN ACCOMMODATING LARGER FAMILIES AND ALL FAMILY CONFIGURATIONS, INCLUDING FEMALE AND MALE HEADS OF HOUSEHOLD, TWO PARENT FAMILIES, AND FAMILIES WITH MALE CHILDREN OVER AGE 12. ALONG WITH A WELCOMING, CLEAN-LIVING SPACE, WE PROVIDE MEALS, FOCUSED CASE MANAGEMENT, ACCESS TO MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE, AND JOB TRAINING AND LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS. EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN INCLUDES TUTORING AND HOMEWORK HELP, AND GRADE AND ATTENDANCE TRACKING.

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S PRIMARY GOAL IS TO COORDINATE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION BETWEEN SCHOOL AND FAMILIES, AND PROVIDE LEARNING SUPPORTS TO ALL CHILDREN IN OUR PROGRAMS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A COMBINATION OF HOME VISITS, ONLINE MONITORING OF GRADES AND ATTENDANCE, AND SPONSORING PROGRAMS ON SITE AT OUR FACILITY DURING WHICH FAMILIES CAN INTERACT WITH SCHOOL STAFF AND FAMILIES FORWARD EDUCATION STAFF. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO TRACKS CHILD AND FAMILY OUTCOMES DATA AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES INFORMATION ON EACH FAMILY AND CHILD IN ORDER TO ASSIST THEM IN ACHIEVING THEIR SERVICE AND EDUCATIONAL PLAN GOALS.

THE COMMUNITY HOUSING PROGRAM (CHP) PROVIDES TRANSITIONAL, RAPID AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN WEST PHILADELPHIA. STARTED APPROXIMATELY 30 YEARS AGO, THE CHP HAS GROWN FROM 20 TO 73 UNITS OF LEASED AND OWNED APARTMENTS AND HOUSES. 64% OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE CHILDREN. EIGHT FAMILIES LIVE IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNITS FOR 12 TO 18 MONTHS WHILE RECEIVING FOCUSED CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE WITH LOCATING AND MOVING INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. FIFTY FAMILIES LIVE IN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS AND RECEIVE COORDINATED CASE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES WHILE PAYING A SMALL MONTHLY FEE BASED ON THEIR INCOME. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)

THE 30TH STREET STATION PROJECT IS A PASSENGER ASSISTANCE BOOTH AT 30TH STREET AMTRAK/SEPTA STATION IN WEST PHILADELPHIA. THE BOOTH IS THE HISTORICAL LEGACY OF TRAVELERS AID SOCIETY, AND IS LOCATED IN THE CENTRAL CONCOURSE OF THE STATION. IT IS STAFFED DAILY BY VOLUNTEERS. THE VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE VISITORS INFORMATION AND TRAVELER ASSISTANCE TO APPROXIMATELY 90,000 TRAVELERS EACH YEAR.