Mission: This year saw the start of the development of the new homefront family campus homeless
Programs: Prevention/emergency services: emergency shelter-: family preservation center(short-term shelter for 40 families & 10 single women who build the skills to become self-sufficent & gain permanent housing); freshstart (short-term housing for homeless working poor families, we assist with securing permanent housing while providing intensive case management); huchet house(residential program for homeless pregnant women who are connected with medical services & acquire the skills to be effective, loving & self-sufficent mothers) homelessness prevention; provides funds for back rent/mortgage/utilities & security deposits to enable county residents at risk of eviction to maintain their housing. Over $464,000 was issued during the last fiscal year. The resource network: provides very low income families with the tools they need to establish a life with dignity. During our last fiscal year, over $4,193,292 in donated goods & services was distributed including furnish the future (furniture & appliances) & the freestore (clothing/household items)
client support services: employment-focused skills building: homefront recognizes that the basic foundation for independence is education and employment. Our opportunities for our clients are always growing and today include: high school equivalency classes and testing, microsoft office training and certification, trade skills training, employment readiness training and job placement counseling, micro-business crafting through our artspace and sewing space programs, advice on how to become invol
housing: it soon became clear to us that providing services and programs alone only addressed one side of the crisis faced by the homeless and low income families of mercer county. Without access to safe and affordable housing, there can be no home. We are dedicated to the development of affordable service-enriched housing for low income families; as well as to the provision of transitional housing, where families can build their skills as they prepare to move into permanent housing. Our housing
Nell
Professional with expertise in this field
11/30/2010
Rating: 5
11/30/2010
As a member of the Development Committee of HomeFront, I am in a position to observe all aspects of the organization. Tackling the Catch-22 that so many working poor face (some income but not enough) head on is the key to HomeFront's success. It is the epitome of "teaching a person to fish". Their programs train their clients in all aspects of life, from job seeking skills to budgeting to parenting. Their committment goes far beyond a hand out and a place to stay for a while. They provide a solid hand grasp and a refuge where families can recoup, reassess and recover.
bookmarc47
Professional with expertise in this field
11/23/2010
Rating: 5
11/23/2010
I have been involved with HomeFront off and on for the entire twenty years of its history. I believe I wrote their first foundation proposal, back when their primary activity was delivering food to homeless families in the "welfare motels" on Route One in New Jersey.
Over the years I have looked in now and then and seen the evolution of the current multi-service agency serving thousands of people in a variety of ways. Their programs provide well more than food and shelter. They put a lot of focus on education and employment both for homeless and needy parents and for their children. Their programs break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, providing these families with a new start. Their current efforts also involve preventing homelessness, rather than treating it after it occurs.
In my long career working with human services agencies, I have never seen anything like HomeFront. It is one of a kind.
