Sojourner House Inc

Programs: Family shelter - since 1981, the agency has provided emergency shelter for over 900 homeless families. Families become homeless for a myriad of reasons, including escalating rents, loss or reduction of work, divorce and abandonment, eviction for health and safety reasons, eviction for nonpayment of rent, escape from domestic violence and disasters such as fires. For the years ended december 31, 2017 and 2016, the family shelter program accounted for approximately 48% and 46%, respectively of total programmatic expenditures.

permanent housing - the agency oversees the operation of various residential affordable housing developments which provide permanent housing for very low income families. For the years ended december 31, 2017 and 2016, the permanent housing program accounted for approximately 40% and 41%, respectively of total programmatic expenditures.

housing services - housing services include assistance in finding and securing permanent housing along with counseling on financial planning and budgeting. Once affordable permanent housing is obtained, each family is offered ongoing stabilization outreach and support to reduce the likelihood of repeated homelessness. Social services at the shelter include assessments and appropriate referrals in the areas of health, education, employment and job readiness, nutrition and mental health. The shelter's children's program provides educational advocacy and tutoring, early intervention for potential child abuse and neglect, recreational activities, referrals for community's children's services, and parenting workshops and support. Additional workshops are given in the areas of aids education, contagious diseases, addictions, conflict resolution and self-esteem. The agency also maintains a food pantry for use by former and current shelter families and for the roxbury community residents. For the years ended december 31, 2017 and 2016, the housing services program accounted for approximately 12% and 13%, respectively, of total programmatic expenditures.