Programs: During the 2016-17 fiscal year, nicholas house continued its impact for homeless families by providing housing and services to 555 homeless children and parents, representing 153 homeless families. We are currently providing housing and services for more than 250 people each night throughout a variety of programs that address the unique needs of homeless families at varying stages of need. 96% of families move into their own housing after exiting our programs and 87% of families maintain their own housing without the need for help at least a year or more after leaving our services. Additionally, during the fiscal year 72% increased income while in programs, 15% decreased debt, 7% improved education, and 27% of children living in shelter were on the school honor roll with 100% graduating to the next grade. To enter a nicholas house program you must be homeless coming from the streets or emergency shelter, have custody of children and be willing to address the root causes of your homelessness. A summary of our primary efforts are: home again home again is for families with enough income to maintain housing but who are threatened with homelessness due to an unexpected hardship or remain homeless due to lack of savings for deposits or poor credit/eviction histories rendering them unable to obtain new leases. Nicholas house provides homeless prevention funding for rent/utility arrears to help families avoid eviction along with budgeting/financial education workshops to ensure future success. For those already homeless, we provide advocacy to help explain past issues and obtain new leases as well as move-in assistance for initial rental and utility deposits. Families are able to pay all their own housing costs moving forward. (184 people in 51 families were assisted within this program) homeless 2 homes (h2h) for families with some income but not enough, h2h moves families quickly into their own apartments of their choice and out of emergency shelters for greater independence and accountability. Homeless families pay 30% of their income toward rent with the remainder subsidized until they can take over complete payment of rent with growing income. Case management and support services ensure progress on family goals, budgeting and needed life skill trainings. (162 people in 51 families were assisted within this program) boulevard shelter - for families with no income, nicholas house - boulevard provides a safe group home for families of any size or make-up to keep families intact and off the street. Many other shelters must separate couples, brothers/sisters, fathers/daughters and 12-year-old boys from mothers. Shelter is provided for 90-day cycles with extension possible. Families define and address the causes of homelessness, including employment training, money management, family skills or others. A strong emphasis on accountability and personal progress is a condition for continued stay in the shelter. (132 people in 31 families were assisted within this program) new horizons for families with no income plus additional major barriers, new horizons provides permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless families with disabilities. Do to the additional major obstacles to self-sufficiency in the form or disabilities impacting daily life and a history of extended homelessness, these families are provided immediate housing in their own apartment and surrounded with services to address their physical and mental health needs as well as overall case management support. As with all our efforts, best practice models are incorporated to move these families forward as appropriate to each familys need, including a housing first intake model and harm reduction, motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care approaches. (77 people in 20 families were assisted in this program) housing stabilization and aftercare - in a unique effort, nicholas house follows all families after they leave its program for up to two years in order to maintain contact, assess long-term success, ensure full transition to self-sufficiency and ensure no unforeseen problems create a relapse to homelessness. Research shows that a year after leaving nicholas house, 87% of families continue to earn a living wage, maintain their own housing and have a healthy family environment. Youth services - breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness for future generations while supporting a healthy family life today. Two-thirds of the homeless people housed by nicholas house are children. A comprehensive youth services effort addresses the unique educational, emotional, social and behavioral needs of homeless children and provides after school programming, an 8-week summer camp, evening activity hours and mentoring designed for age specific groups. A focus is on establishing educational and life-long personal skills that will create a healthy, productive and self-sufficient adult. Adult education/training - creating a new future by defining goals and providing the educational and training support to make dreams reality. Each family establishes an individual service plan tailored to identify and address the unique causes of each family's homelessness. Weekly, monthly and long-term goals are set. Twice weekly evening courses offer 24 different topics to address areas such as interview skills, resume writing, budget management, debt reduction, computer use, parenting skills, stress management and other professional or life skills. Regular meetings with a case manager ensure accountability toward achieving the plan and constant adjustments. Continued progress toward goals is a requirement for continued program participation and housing. Resources and referrals - in support of the families' needs and self-sufficiency plans, multiple direct resources and referrals to collaborative partners are provided to parents and children as needs are defined. They range from meals, diapers, and transportation to a savings matching program, employment training and healthcare access.
