Drueding Center

TO PROVIDE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO YOUNG HOMELESS FAMILIES

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - DRUEDING CENTER'S THEORY OF CHANGE IS THAT FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WILL BUILD SKILLS TO HEAL FROM TRAUMA, RESTORE HOPE, AND END THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS THROUGH A TRAUMA INFORMED AND HOUSING FIRST APPROACH. TRAUMA-INFORMED SERVICES ARE AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO AT DRUEDING CENTER PROMOTING HEALING, SAFETY, AND EMPOWERMENT. WE TAKE THE FAMILY'S LEAD AND COLLABORATE TO FIND THEIR BEST PATH TOWARD THE FUTURE. ALONG THE WAY, WE ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS, WHICH ARE OFTEN LARGER SYSTEMIC ISSUES SUCH AS LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE REMOVE BARRIERS TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR INDEPENDENCE SO THAT CLIENTS CAN EXPERIENCE LASTING CHANGE AND SEE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.OUR TRAUMA-INFORMED CULTURE GUIDES OUR HOUSING FIRST APPROACH. HOUSING FIRST MEANS THAT WE UNCONDITIONALLY ADDRESS THE CORE ISSUE OF PROVIDING SHELTER AND IMMEDIATELY DEVELOP A HOUSING PLAN WHEN A FAMILY FIRST ARRIVES AT DRUEDING CENTER. HOUSING FIRST, A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, EVIDENCE-BASED BEST PRACTICE, IS PROVEN TO HELP FAMILIES MAINTAIN PERMANENT HOUSING AND ACHIEVE STABILITY AND WELL-BEING. ALL OF OUR SERVICES SUPPORT THIS ULTIMATE GOAL. THE ONGOING PANDEMIC IMPACTED OUR ABILITY TO OFFER IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS, GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS CONDUCT COMMUNITY HOME VISITS.RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - PROVIDES 30 TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNITS TO FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESS FOR 12 MONTHS WITH A POSSIBLE SIX-MONTH EXTENSION. THE FAMILY TEAM BRINGS TOGETHER THE RESIDENT, FAMILY ADVOCATE, LIFE GUIDE, AND HOUSING COUNSELOR TO COLLABORATIVELY DEVELOP A FAMILY-LED PLAN THAT REFLECTS THEIR NEEDS FOR THE FUTURE. HOUSING, ALONG WITH OUR TRAUMA-INFORMED COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES, CAN BRING A RENEWED SENSE OF HOPE.STAFF PARTNER WITH OUR RESIDENT FAMILIES TO FIND SOLID GROUND, HELPING PARENTS GAIN THE SKILL AND CONFIDENCE THAT ARE THE FOUNDATION FOR THEIR FUTURE INDEPENDENCE AND SHOWING THEIR CHILDREN THAT SUCCESS IS POSSIBLE IN THEIR LIVES. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE BEGINS TO EMERGE AND GRADUALLY BECOMES REAL AND ATTAINABLE. MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR FAMILIES - WHO HAVE SUFFERED TRAUMA AND STILL FACE DAUNTING ODDS ON THE PATH TO INDEPENDENCE - CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES, AND THESE ARE: (1) INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, (2) HOUSING ASSISTANCE, (3) CLINICAL COUNSELING, (4) TRAUMA INFORMED SERVICES, (5) LIFE SKILLS, AND (6) GREEN LIGHT FOOD PANTRY.IN FY 21, DRUEDING CENTER SERVED A TOTAL OF 50 FAMILIES IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND 100% OF THE 21 FAMILIES THAT LEFT THE PROGRAM MOVED INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. 81% OF THE FAMILIES IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM INCREASED THEIR SELF-SUFFICIENCY SCORES AND 82% OF THE RESIDENTS WERE WORKING, IN SCHOOL OR IN A PROGRAM.(1) INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT - EVERY FAMILY HAS A "FAMILY ADVOCATE", WHO WORKS WITH THE FAMILY TO SET AND REACH GOALS AROUND HOUSING, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH AND LIFE SKILLS THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO A FAMILY'S CHALLENGES, STRENGTHS, NEEDS, CONCERNS, AND OUTSIDE SUPPORT, AND FOLLOWS A REALISTIC TIMELINE. IN FY 21, FAMILY ADVOCATES HELD 854 OFFICE VISITS AND AN ADDITIONAL 615 OTHER CONTACTS WITH FAMILIES. IN ADDITION, 41 FAMILY TEAM MEETINGS WERE HELD.(2) HOUSING ASSISTANCE A HOUSING COUNSELOR FROM COMMUNITY SERVICES WORKS WITH THE FAMILY AND FAMILY TEAM TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PLAN. ALL POTENTIAL HOUSING OPTIONS ARE EXPLORED AND APPLIED FOR, ENSURING THAT FAMILIES MOVE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. FROM RUNNING AN INITIAL CREDIT REPORT AND HELPING EACH MOTHER CLEAN UP PAST PROBLEMS, TO EVENTUALLY PLACING FAMILIES IN SAFE, AFFORDABLE, CONVENIENT HOUSING, DRUEDING CENTER CALLS ON OUR VAST ARRAY OF PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS TO OPEN DOORS. WE ASSIST RESIDENTS WITH ALL THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK AND APPLICATION FORMS. WE HAVE DEVELOPED SPECIALIZED RESOURCES, SUCH AS A HOUSING BULLETIN BOARD AND A HOUSING RESOURCE BOOK, WHICH FEATURES THE LATEST LISTINGS AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT HOME OWNERSHIP. IF SUBSIDIZED HOUSING IS NOT AVAILABLE TO ASSIST FAMILIES TO MOVE INTO PERMANENT, FAIR MARKET HOUSING, THE DRUEDING RENTAL ASSISTANCE & PREVENTION PROGRAM (DRAPP) PROVIDES A DECREASING RENT SUBSIDY OVER FOUR YEARS. THIS INNOVATIVE PROGRAM ALSO SUPPORTS OUR FAMILIES' EFFORTS TO INCREASE THEIR INCOME AND AFFORD RENT PAYMENTS AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM.(3) CLINICAL COUNSELING - THE STRESS OF LIVING WITHOUT A HOME AND PREVIOUS TRAUMA IMPACTS HOW CLIENTS SEE THE WORLD LEADING TO ISOLATION AND DISCONNECTION WITH THEMSELVES. TO HELP OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES, MASTER'S LEVEL THERAPISTS DELIVER HOPE AND HEALING TO PARENTS AND CHILDREN. OTHER PROGRAMS, SUCH AS S.E.L.F (SAFETY, EMOTION, LOSS, AND FUTURE) AND PROCESS GROUPS, PROVIDE PRACTICAL MENTAL WELLNESS SUPPORT. THESE PROGRAMS ARE TAILORED TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS AND REQUESTS OF PARENTS. WE USE PROMOTING ALTERNATIVE THINKING STRATEGIES (PATHS) FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN, AN EMOTIONAL SELF-AWARENESS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROGRAM. OUR DEDICATED ART SPACE IS ALSO A VIBRANT PLACE FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION, WITH THERAPIST-LED SESSIONS AND OPEN HOURS. IN FY 21, THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 134 COUNSELING SESSIONS HELD, 26 CHILDREN'S GROUPS AND 5 ADULT GROUPS.(4) TRAUMA INFORMED SERVICES - ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CENTER ON FAMILY HOMELESSNESS, OVER 90% OF HOMELESS MOTHERS EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFETIME AND HOMELESS CHILDREN SUFFER FROM EMOTIONAL OR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS THAT INTERFERE WITH LEARNING AT ALMOST THREE TIMES THE RATE OF OTHER CHILDREN. DRUEDING CENTER, A SANCTUARY CERTIFIED ORGANIZATION, PROVIDES TRAUMA INFORMED SERVICES DESIGNED TO DELIVER CARE IN A WAY THAT ACKNOWLEDGES THE ROLE THAT TRAUMA PLAYS IN THEIR LIVES.(5) LIFE SKILLS THE RESIDENTIAL TEAM PROVIDES HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR PARENTS, INCLUDING ONE-ON-ONE INSTRUCTION AND PERIODIC WORKSHOPS. TOPICS INCLUDE PARENTING SKILLS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, CREDIT REPAIR, AND NUTRITION AND MEAL PREPARATION. WHEN GATHERING IN GROUPS IS PERMITTED, WE PROVIDE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILY BONDING, INCLUDING: (A) MONTHLY FAMILY FUN DAYS OFFER STIMULATING ACTIVITIES THAT ARE COMMONLY OUT OF REACH TO HOMELESS FAMILIES, (B) FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT INVITES FAMILIES TO GATHER TOGETHER OVER A CHILDREN'S BOOK AND ACTIVITY, AND (C) BRIGHT SPACE IS A LARGE ROOM WHERE FAMILIES CAN GATHER, AND CHILDREN CAN PLAY WITH VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTALLY AND AGE-APPROPRIATE TOYS. IN FY 21, THERE WERE 21 LIFE SKILLS SESSIONS WITH RESIDENTS.(6) GREEN LIGHT FOOD PANTRY FOCUSES ON PROMOTING HEALTHY EATING AND POSITIVE LIFESTYLE CHANGES WHILE HELPING FOOD-INSECURE FAMILIES PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE. UNLIKE OTHER FOOD PANTRIES THAT PROVIDE MOSTLY SHELF-STABLE FOODS, THE GREEN LIGHT FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES ONLY HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD SELECTIONS TO DRUEDING CENTER FAMILIES, GRADUATES, STAFF, AND ANY FAMILY IN NEED OF FOOD IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE GREEN LIGHT FOOD PANTRY OFFERS AN INNOVATIVE "CHOICE-MODEL" FOOD PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS FAMILIES TO "SHOP" FOR EXCLUSIVELY HEALTHY FOODS, INCLUDING FRESH PRODUCE, WHOLE GRAIN PASTA AND CEREALS, DAIRY, AND LEAN PROTEINS. THE GREEN LIGHT PANTRY ALSO OFFERS COOKING AND NUTRITION CLASSES. SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, WE'VE HAD TO ADAPT OUR PROGRAMS TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE BY DISTRIBUTING PRE-PACKAGED FOOD BAGS AND OFFERING VIRTUAL COOKING CLASSES. IN FY 21 A TOTAL OF 134 FAMILIES WERE SERVED THROUGH MONTHLY VISITS TO THE PANTRY. THERE WERE 1,224 PANTRY VISITS AND 50,184 LBS. OF HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD WAS DISTRIBUTED.

CHILD CARE - WE TAKE A TWO-GENERATION APPROACH AND OFFER INTEGRATED SERVICES TO SUPPORT BOTH PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN. WHILE PARENTS IN OUR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOCUS ON WORK, SCHOOL, AND/OR EMOTIONAL GROWTH, THEIR CHILDREN ARE SAFE AND CARED FOR IN OUR ON-SITE, FULL-DAY CHILD CARE CENTER. LICENSED TO CARE FOR CHILDREN RANGING IN AGES FROM SIX WEEKS TO 10 YEARS, CHILDREN OF OUR FORMER RESIDENTS AND FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ALSO ATTEND OUR CENTER. IN FY 21, THE PROGRAM SERVED A TOTAL OF 67 CHILDREN. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY, MOST ENRICHING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM AVAILABLE, REGARDLESS OF A FAMILY'S FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.OUR CHILD CARE CENTER IS ACCREDITED BY NAEYC (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN) AND HAS RECEIVED 4A KEYSTONE STARS (THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE DESIGNATION) FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EARLY LEARNING. HAVING BOTH OF THESE CREDENTIALS PLACES OUR CENTER IN THE TOP 7% OF EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS STATEWIDE.FEATURES OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM INCLUDE: (1) FIVE DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE CLASSROOMS, INCLUDING ONE PHLPREK CLASSROOM WITH 15 CHILDREN. THEY ARE STAFFED FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS, YEAR-ROUND (EXCEPT MAJOR HOLIDAYS). THE NAEYC-APPROVED CREATIVE CURRICULUM IS UTILIZED IN OUR INFANT, TODDLER, AND PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS, UNDER WHICH OUR TEACHERS MONITOR MILESTONES FOR LANGUAGE, MOVEMENT, SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT, (2) TWO MODERN PLAYGROUNDS (ONE FOR INFANTS/TODDLERS AND ONE FOR CHILDREN TWO YEARS AND OLDER) PROVIDE MULTIPLE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES DAILY, (3) A COMMUNITY GARDEN ADJACENT TO THE PLAYGROUND SERVES AS A SITE TO LEARN TO GROW FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. THIS ACTIVITY IS FUN FOR ALL AGES WHILE IT ALSO TEACHES A VALUABLE SCIENCE LESSON, AND (4) DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, A LARGE MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM IS AVAILABLE FOR EXERCISE AND PLAYTIMES.

COMMUNITY SERVICES - THE FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED: (1) HOUSING ASSISTANCE, (2) AFTER CARE CASE MANAGEMENT, (3) NEW NEIGHBORS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM, AND (4) BLUEPRINT CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.(1) HOUSING ASSISTANCE - COMMUNITY SERVICES MANAGES THE DRAPP PROGRAM FOR PARTICIPANTS AND ASSISTS WITH ANY CHALLENGES THEY MAY FACE, EVERY FAMILY VIEWS INDEPENDENT LIVING AS THE ULTIMATE GOAL AND THE LEADING MEASURE OF SUCCESS. THE DRAPP SUBSIDY STARTS AT UP TO $500 A MONTH IN YEAR 1, $200 A MONTH IN YEAR 2, $100 A MONTH IN YEARS 3 AND $50 IN THE FINAL YEAR. SUPPORT IS PROVIDED TO ASSIST FAMILIES ADJUST TO THE DECREASING SUBSIDY OVER FOUR YEARS SO THAT PARTICIPANTS ARE ABLE TO PAY THE FULL RENT.THE SUBSIDY ENCOURAGES A DURABLE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CLIENT AND AFTER CARE WHICH IS OTHERWISE OPTIONAL. IT PROVIDES AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF QUALITY ASSURANCE BY ALLOWING STAFF TO INSPECT THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND CORRESPONDING DOCUMENTATION LIKE THE RENTER'S LICENSE. THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ATTACHED TO DRAPP SUBSIDY ALLOWS SERVICES TO BE CLIENT-CENTERED, ALLOWING THE FAMILY TO TAKE THE LEAD WITH PROBLEM-SOLVING WITH MINIMAL GUIDANCE OR FOR CS STAFF TO ADVOCATE ON THEIR BEHALF. SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS WITH LANDLORDS CULTIVATES A SOLID NETWORK AND BUILDS DRUEDING'S REPUTATION FOR FUTURE REFERRALS.(2) AFTER CARE CASE MANAGEMENT - UNLIKE MANY OTHER TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS, DRUEDING CENTER IS UNIQUE IN PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR UP TO SEVEN YEARS ONCE OUR FAMILIES MOVE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. WE'VE FOUND THAT THE SUSTAINED GUIDANCE AND MENTORING PROVIDED BY AFTER CARE SERVICES MEASURABLY INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF LASTING SUCCESS FOR OUR FAMILIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS. DRUEDING CENTER'S VOLUNTARY AFTER CARE SERVICES INCLUDE: (A) ONGOING CASE MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING GOAL PLANNING, BUDGETING, TIME MANAGEMENT, LIFE SKILLS, AND PARENTING SKILLS; (B) REFERRALS FOR JOB TRAINING, CONTINUING EDUCATION, CHILDCARE, AND LEGAL ISSUES; (C) INFORMATION ABOUT RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS IN FAMILIES' NEW COMMUNITIES; (D) REFERRALS TO OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES WHEN APPROPRIATE; (E) ADVOCACY TO ASSIST WITH LANDLORD DISPUTES, SUBSIDIZED HOUSING, SOCIAL SECURITY, CHILD SUPPORT, AND MENTAL HEALTH. IN FY 21, 78 FAMILIES WERE SERVED IN AFTER CARE AND 68% WHO WERE ABLE WERE WORKING, IN SCHOOL OR ENROLLED IN A PROGRAM. 60% OF THOSE EMPLOYED MAINTAINED THEIR EMPLOYMENT FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS. 88% OF THOSE IN AFTER CARE MAINTAIN PERMANENT HOUSING FOR THREE YEARS. A TOTAL OF 206 HOME VISITS, 62 OFFICE VISITS AND AN ADDITIONAL 659 CONTACTS WERE MADE WITH FAMILIES.(3) NEW NEIGHBORS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM - EIGHTEEN FAMILIES WITH AT LEAST ONE FAMILY MEMBER WITH A DOCUMENTED DISABILITY RECEIVE A RENTAL SUBSIDY, HOUSING COUNSELING AND CASE MANAGEMENT THROUGH CONTRACTS WITH HUD AND OHS. IN FY 21, THERE WERE 86 HOME VISITS, 26 OFFICE VISITS, AND AN ADDITIONAL 296 CONTACTS WITH FAMILIES. (4) BLUEPRINT CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - THIS A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA AND THE PHILADELPHIA HOUSING AUTHORITY. BASED ON OUR TRACK RECORD AND CAPACITY TO DELIVER EXCELLENT SERVICES, IN 2010 THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA'S OFFICE OF HOMELESS SERVICES AWARDED DRUEDING CENTER A CONTRACT TO PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR ONE YEAR TO AN ADDITIONAL 125 FORMERLY HOMELESS FAMILIES PER YEAR. IN FY 21, DRUEDING CENTER SERVED A TOTAL OF 151 FAMILIES THROUGH 21 HOME VISITS, 12 OFFICE VISITS AND AN ADDITIONAL 552 CONTACTS.