Tabor Community Services

Target demographics: individuals and families

Direct beneficiaries per year: 4,000+

Geographic areas served: Lancaster County

Programs: The lighthouse project consists of donated and aquired properties that are renovated and refurbished. Upon renovation, the organization leases the property to various tenants. The properties are also used for various community development projects. The program includes the home fund. The organization may acquire and renovate homes in the city and county that are in significant need of repair. Profits generated from the renovation and sale of these homes support general operations. Tabor place apartments is a rental property consisting of 26 rental units for low-income, elderly and handicapped individuals located at 439 east king street, lancaster, pa.

the shelter to independent living program provides counselors who assist homeless families in finding affordable housing. In addition, the program provides one to two years of follow-up counseling to aid in educating the clients in the skills and disciplines necessary to maintain long-term sufficiency.

the transitional living center (tlc) program provides a haven for individuals and families transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. Participants work with a social worker on a monthly basis and attend classes on various topics, from financial counseling to parenting skills. Participants may live at tlc for up to six months.

the consumer credit counseling program aids individuals in finding solutions to financial problems through budget education, budget counseling and debt management programs. In the debt management program, counselors negotiate a fair payment plan with the clients' creditors allowing clients to repay their bills, reduce interest costs, and give creditors full payment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- the asset development program is focused on assisting individuals in long term financial planning. The program also offers education and guidance to low income, hard working families who are guided through the home ownership process in order to acquire their first home. Counselors aid in the mortgage application process and educate the client in home ownership responsibilities. The family savings account component encourages disciplined savings habits and asset building by providing matching funds to families enrolled in the program. Through the program families can receive varying amounts of matching funds by fulfilling program requirements, including personal savings goals. ------------------------------------------------------------------ the mortgage counseling program aids in eliminating foreclosure proceedings by helping clients apply for mortgage assistance or pursue other options. The program also counsels elderly persons on reverse mortgages and victims of predatory lending. ------------------------------------------------------ the financial empowerment center provides comprehensive and integrated financial counseling/coaching and education services and programs designed to equip lancaster households with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve sulf-sufficiency and build financial stability for their future. -------------------------------------------------------- the jubilee house at king is a transitional housing facility consisting of five independent living units designated for homeless women with children who have completed a residential treatment program for substance abuse. ----------------------------------------------------- the market view apartments program provides permanent housing to the chronically homeless and disabled. It also provides supportive services to the residents through a counselor. ----------------------------------------------------- the beth shalom house program is a facility consisting of five independent living units, dedicated to providing transitional housing for women who have been released from prison and their children. As a re-entry program, it provides a range of suppportive counseling services to assist the participants in successfully reintegrating into life outside the correctional system. ----------------------------------------------------- the rental counseling to prevent homelessness program counselors assist families in locating alternative, affordable housing by serving as mediators with landlords. Also, counselors aid clients in developing skills needed to become financially responsible tenants. The organization also provides direct financial assistance to eligible clients who were impacted by the housing crisis. ----------------------------------------------------- the family self sufficiency program aids families holding section 8 certificates or vouchers in developing skills and resources to become self sufficient. ----------------------------------------------------- the supportive housing services program provides counseling services to residents of several privately owned low-income apartment complexes. The services are geared toward promoting stable, permanent housing; providing education to clients in life-skills; and, fostering community within the complexes. ---------------------------------------------------------- the community homeless assessment and referral team program provides standardized and coordinated assessment and referral services for individuals and families seeking services from a network of homeless service providers in lancaster county. The program focuses on diversion, prevention, shelter assignment and rapid rehousing. ------------------------------------------------------------- the supportive housing for veteran families program is to improve the housing stability among very low-income veteran families. It assists families who reside in or are transitioning to permanent housing, and works to prevent at-risk veterans from becoming homeless, and rapidly re- housing those who may have recently fallen into homelessness. The program provides a key role in connecting participants and their family members with mental health care and other community resources designed to increase housing stability. The program provides outreach and case managment services, housing and budget counseling, and assists participants to obtain va benefits and other public benefits. ---------------------------------------------------------- the mental health housing program is a non-facility-based "housing first" program that assists lancaster's homeless population who have mental health disorders to be re-housed directly into permanent housing and become self- sufficient through housing advocacy and procurement, housing and budget counseling, case management, information and referrals. ---------------------------------------------------------- the special projects program encompasses varied activities and special projects, such as: streetscape improvements, property renovations, and the operation of the lancaster eastern market. ----------------------------------------------------- the community homeless outreach center is a collaborative effort with several community organizations and is operated out of the water street rescue mission in lancaster pa. The program provides a location for homeless individuals to obtain resources, guidance, and rest during the day. ----------------------------------------------------- the education program provides workshops designed to increase the participants' financial literacy and skill in budgeting, debt management, and preparing for homeownership. There are in-house workshops open to the public and workshops that are provided throughout the county to churches, non-profits, businesses, and schools.