Theresa Living Center

THERESA LIVING CENTERS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE TRANSITIONAL/RAPID RE-HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES WHO ARE STRIVING TO RECLAIM SELF-DIGNITY AND ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE FOLLOWING A PERIOD OF HOMELESSNESS. THERESA LIVING CENTER PROVIDES AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND BASIC-NEEDS SUPPORT SERVICES SO OUR CLIENTS CAN ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY. WE BELIEVE THAT EACH WOMAN HAS THE STRENGTH TO MAKE POSITIVE LIFE CHANGES TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT.

THERESA LIVING CENTER RESIDENTIAL PROVIDES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SERVICES FOR SINGLE WOMEN AND SINGLE WOMEN WHO HAVE A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF ONE YEARS OLD. THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES AFFORDABLE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING BASED ON THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT'S INCOME, SUPPORT SERVICES, AND CASE MANAGEMENT. IN 2019 WE TRIED TO ACHIEVE AN EQUAL BALANCE IN THE 16 ROOMS AVAILABLE BETWEEN SINGLE WOMEN WITH INFANTS/TODDLERS AND JUST SINGLE INDIVIDUALS. PROGRAM VACANCIES ARE FILLED THROUGH THE RAMSEY COUNTY COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM. AN EDUCATIONAL PIECE WE PROVIDE IS WEEKLY WORKSHOPS ON VARIOUS LIFE SKILLS TO INFORM AND EDUCATE OUR PARTCIPANTS IN AREAS LIKE; FINANCES, PARENTING, TENANT LANDLORD RELATIONSHIP, CAREER PLANNING ETC. IN 2020 WE HAD TO RETHINK HOUSING WE PROVIDE TO OUR PARTICIPANTS. RESIDENTIALLY WE FOCUSED ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR RESIDENTS DUE TO COVID AND THE SOCIAL UNREST THAT WAS EXPERIENCED WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. WE LIMITED INTAKE UNTIL WE COULD WORK THROUGH ALL OF THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID AND LIVING IN A CONGREGATE SETTING FOR OUR RESIDENTIAL PARTICIPANTS.

THERESA LIVING CENTER SCATTERED SITES PROGRAM (CAROLINE FAMILY SERVICES) PROVIDES RAPID REHOUSING SERVICES FOR SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. CAROLINE FAMILY SERVICES PROVIDES RENTAL ASSISTANCE, CASE MANAGEMENT AND LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS TO ASSIST OUR PARTICIPANTS ON THE ROAD TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. ALL PLACEMENTS FOR THE SCATTERED SITES PROGRAM (CAROLINE FAMILY'S SERVICES) IN 2019 WAS DONE BY THE RAMSEY COUNTY PLACEMENT PROGRAM, COORDINATED ACCESS TO HOUSING AND SHELTER. FAMILIES ARE ACCESSED, THEN REFERRED TO PROGRAMS BASED ON THEIR HOUSING NEEDS SCORE. AN EDUCATIONAL PIECE WE PROVIDE IS WEEKLY WORKSHOPS ON VARIOUS LIFE SKILLS TO INFORM AND EDUCATE OUR PARTCIPANTS IN AREAS LIKE; FINANCES, PARENTING, TENANT LANDLORD RELATIONSHIP, CAREER PLANNING ETC. IN 2020 WE HAD TO RETHINK THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO OUR PARTICIPANTS. FOR OUR SCATTERED SITE FAMILIES WE MAINTAINED CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES TO HELP THEM THROUGH DISTANT LEARNING FOR THEIR CHILDREN, REGULAR CONTACT WITH THEIR LANDLORDS, 6 MONTHS FINANCIAL RELIEF PAYING THEIR FULL RENT, BECAUSE ALL WERE UNDEREMPLOYED OR NOT WORKING DURING THE PANDEMIC. WE DID NOT TRANSITION ANYONE OUT OF THE PROGRAM IF THEY WERE NOT FINANCIALLY READY TO TRANSITION BECAUSE OF THEIR REACHING THE 24 MONTH MARKER. THERESA LIVING CENTER MAINTAINED THE WEEKLY IN SERVICE TRAININGS YEAR ROUND SO THAT WE COULD MAINTAIN A PULSE ON THE FAMILIES ISSUES DURING THE PANDEMIC.