History:

Program:

     CIHN is partnered with local Churches referred to as "Host Congregations". Together the program provides much more than "shelter." The Host Congregations work on a rotation basis, providing overnight accommodations at their churches or other designated facility. They host the families, overnight, a week at a time, approximately four times per year. They provide a buffet style dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch to go. Volunteers create and organize activities for the children, extend a listening ear to the parents, and very often furnish referrals to employment, direct assistance with household furnishings, basic need items, financial assistance, and the list goes on.

     This unique partnership results in Churches having a mission to help the homeless right in their own facilities. All case management is handled by CIHN, which also provides regular training and structure for the program. This partnership results in a significantly reduced overhead for CIHN. We do not need to lease overnight accommodations, meals are prepared by the church, donations provide many of the supplies, family needs, etc., no overnight staff due to congregation volunteers, and the financial support helps offset the day to day operations. Even though the schedule is a bit challenging, the families report the benefits outweigh most of the inconveniences.

     The families benefit directly from the partnership in many ways. One in particular is that CIHN is the only family shelter that does not except payment or charge overnight fees to its guests. CIHN is firm in its beliefs that the family will need to utilize all their resources to cover the expenses associated with securing a home, utilities, and basic needs not met through other resources.

     During the day, guests are welcome to be at our Family Services (Day) Center.  This center is equipped with a kitchenette, refrigerator, living room area, showers, laundry room, small storage spaces, a private phone line, and delivery of the daily newspaper. The Supportive Services Staff is located in this building so families might have direct access to their Case Manager. 

Case Management:

     CIHN staff works closely with each family in identifying resources, advocacy, and intensive case management. All families in CIHN participate in the Transitions Program which is an in-depth case management strategy addressing four core areas described in the Case Management section of this website. The case manager assists each family on a daily basis as they prepare to transition into permanent housing.

     Each Family provides a five year history of employment and housing data.  Looking at this history helps the family to explore household income trends.  Then families see their shortfall compared to the median rent in our community. Together we examine affordable housing options, opportunities to increase household income by developing an education plan, and look at current community programs.  We explore transitional housing, public housing, and other subsidized programs which assist families while they are working on long-range goals. Case Managers and the Family develop long and short term goals. After leaving the emergency shelter, families have the opportunity for continued case management for up to six months.

Results:

     For any family, it takes great courage, commitment, and hard work to start, in many cases, with just the clothes on your back, and achieve housing, maintain employment, and get back on level ground.  Eighty seven percent of families move into housing with 90 days. 

     CIHN serves approximately 65 families annually in shelter, on average 195 persons per year of which 125 are children. Since the beginning, November 1994, CIHN has served over 500 families in shelter.

Return to top of page