Six Programs for Defeating Homelessness Hamilton Family Center has been working to end homelessness since 1985, and offers care at every level. They are the largest provider of shelter and support services for homeless families in San Francisco, helping hundreds of families a year. Their programs include: HAMILTON FAMILY EMERGENCY CENTER: Offers newly homeless families 24-hour access to emergency overnight shelter or a place to stay for 60 days. Provides basic services for up to 20 families a night that include a warm bed, three meals a day and crisis intervention counseling and support. We also offer on-site medical services. HAMILTON FAMILY RESIDENCES: This is largest homeless family shelter in San Francisco, serving up to 40 families or 150 people per night. Offers up to six months of shelter while providing comprehensive support services that include case management, individual and group therapy, three meals a day, employment and life skills training, referrals, and assistance securing housing. HAMILTON FAMILY TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM: Offers 20 families temporary housing in their own apartments and comprehensive support services for up to 18 months. The Transitional Program gives them time to identify and address the causes of their homelessness. Families improve budgeting, parenting, and other life skills while preparing for economic and housing stability. HAMILTON FAMILY HOUSING AND AFTERCARE: Helps families meet their most fundamental need: securing permanent housing. Our staff works with families to clear eviction and credit problems, follow a savings plan, secure rental units, and access move-in grants. Families continue to benefit from services and support for a full year after they leave the shelter. Case managers make home visits, provide personal direction, and help families access local resources such as counseling, child care, health care, parenting classes, and support groups. THE DUDLEY APARTMENTS: A 75-unit permanent supportive housing program created in partnership with Mercy Housing California. Hamilton Family Center offers onsite social services to formerly homeless families, and extremely low-income seniors and single adults living in the building. This permanent supportive housing program enables residents to stabilize their lives and address issues such as mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse, and physical disabilities. The Dudley Apartments is a crucial resource for chronically homeless families and individuals and offers them a permanent housing solution. THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAM: Children's services are a crucial element of breaking the homelessness cycle, providing special care for the most vulnerable. We offer daily recreational and enrichment activities for children from birth to age 17 in a safe, supportive environment where homelessness carries no stigma. Children and their parents also have access to a mental health therapist who is available to meet with them individually and help them learn strategies to cope with the problems they face. The therapist also hosts a number of support groups including a women's empowerment meeting, parent and infant play therapy sessions, and a parent support group. 1631 Hayes Street San Francisco, CA 94117 415-409-2100 www.hamiltonfamilycenter.org |
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Newsletter | Nov/Dec 2004