Permanent Housing
The Park Commons Permanent Housing Program provides housing for homeless single grandmothers, 55 and older who are caring for grandchildren; homeless older persons who are 55 and older; and single homeless women age 62 and older. Case management is provided to all participants in the program linking to needed community resources and advocating on behalf of participants. In addition, independent life skills training, health and wellness workshops and stress management training is provided. When necessary, participants are connected to legal services through the
Columbia at Sylvan Hills provides permanent housing for chronically homeless single women with disabilities. Participants may have a diagnosis of mental health, alcohol/other drug addiction and/or living with HIV/AIDS. If a participant has a diagnosis of alcohol/drug addiction, she must be clean for at least one year prior to entering the program. Participants must be connected to a community or social service agency, however extensive case management is also provided on-site. Participants are supplied life skills training in an attempt to improve their skills, and are required to be employed or enrolled in an approved training program. Case managers assist with referring participants to suitable programs, if necessary. Support provided is designed to enhance quality of life and assist in maintaining permanent housing. The Transitional Housing Program occupies 70 women and children and operates 24 hours a day throughout the entire year. Families are housed in apartments that facilitate an environment closely resembling independent living. Individual Service Plans are developed for each participant that focus on helping participants enhance their skills and/or income and achieve greater self-determination which will assist in successfully maintaining permanent housing after graduating from the program. Services provided to meet these goals include, GED classes, financial management/budgeting, life skills training, parenting enhancement, and job search training. Services are also provided to the children involved in the program. An Action Plan is created for each child identifying individual needs and a children’s case manager links to necessary resources and provides advocacy. On-site services include homework assistance, etiquette classes, character building, age specific activities and socially significant activities.
Transitional Housing
Supportive Services
Achor Center, Inc. is a supportive service provider. In addition to the housing programs described above, Achor provides after-care services to participants who graduate from theTransitional Housing Program. The service is provided for up to three years to assist alumni of the program succeed in independent living. Alumni are contacted at least once a month and more if initiated by the participant for any needs that may require staff assistance.
Dress for Success
In collaboration with the J Jill Group, Achor Center, Inc. provides participants with clothing that may be needed to obtain a job or to dress appropriately in the workplace. J Jill Group dontates brand new clothing, shoes, coats, and accessories that are distributed to participants.
Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren
In the
Achor Center, Inc. is passionate about helping this very specific population. Achor recognizes the growing need to support grandfamilies and is implementing innovative ways of providing help. In addition to the permanent housing units for homeless grandmothers raising grandchildren, Achor also provides supportive services to grandfamilies in order to prevent homelessness. Grandmothers can be referred to Achor’s supportive services team who will provide in-home support connecting to resources that will assist the family in maintaining their housing or locating more appropriate housing. Families will also be networked to services that will improve skills and development if necessary.
With many parents struggling with everyday stressors, grandparents are stepping in to prevent children from entering the foster care system. Achor strives to keep families together and is looking to the future with hopes of expanding services offered to grandfamilies.
