|
1545 West 25th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44113 info@transitionalhousinginc.org 216 781-2250 |
environment, programs and services to promote self-sufficiency and independence to end the cycle of homelessness |
|
1545 West 25th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44113 info@transitionalhousinginc.org 216 781-2250 |
environment, programs and services to promote self-sufficiency and independence to end the cycle of homelessness |
THI Programs
Transitional Housing, Inc. (THI) was established to provide a safe environment for homeless women with programs and services designed to direct them toward self-sufficiency and independence. Participants who come to THI must want to make the changes in their lives which will enable them to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency.
Participants are referred to THI by homeless and domestic violence shelters, drug and alcohol treatment centers and the Northeast Pre-Release Center.
Women may stay up to two years and must participate in programming, contribute to their rent, and remain drug and alcohol free. Children are encouraged to visit; pregnant women are accepted.
Women eligible for participation at THI are:
Homeless women between the ages 18 and 61
Living alone or have a child 18 months or younger
Receiving public assistance or have a limited income
Not actively abusing alcohol or drugs
Able to function independently
Able and willing to participate in education, job training and employment
Committed to participating in a structured two-year Personal Development Program
Orientation & Intake
The first step for women interested in participating in THI is to attend an orientation. Orientation sessions are held the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. During orientation Program Advisors briefly review THI programs and services, criteria for participation, expectations, and the process for proceeding. Potential participants tour the facility and then meet individually with a Program Advisor to complete Intake.
Learning About Transitional Housing, Inc. - Orientation & Admission
is THI's brochure for women attending orientation,
and explains the admission process.The THI Monthly Calendar includes orientation dates.
To download this file, you'll need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, available for download by clicking the Adobe logo.
Assessment
If the woman is interested in proceeding and meets the criteria for participation during Intake, an Assessment appointment is arranged with a Program Advisor. A Program Advisor contacts the woman’s worker or counselor to schedule an Assessment. The assessment may last up to 2 hours.
Case Review
After the Assessment is completed, the woman’s story is reviewed by Program staff. This may take up to two weeks. The worker or counselor is contacted by letter or phone regarding the status of a woman’s referral. If a woman is accepted she is placed on the waiting list or is given a move in date. If a woman is denied, the Program Advisor sends a denial letter explaining the reason for denial. Women denied may reapply in six months.
Making a Referral to THI Information and referral form for referring agencies.
The Building Blocks of Success
Education, accountability and support are the three building blocks assisting participants in developing more effective ways of living.
Education offers insight. Life Management and other essential classes, workshop opportunities, the development of personal educational goals, and peer sharing all support self-sufficiency.
Accountability encourages the participant to take the first step. The individual Personal Development Plans serve as a contract and are signed by each participant.
Support makes the new process seem easier. THI staff and participants make change feel safe.
Core Participant Classes
Life Management Classes are the foundation of each participant’s Personal Development Plan. They encourage participants to assess their situations realistically in order to make decisions and set goals for making future-oriented changes in
their lives. The Life Management Classes are single sessions and must be completed within the first thirty to sixty days at THI. Life Management Classes include:
THI History Home Awareness Goal Setting I Financial Awareness Goal Setting II Relationship Awareness Self Awareness Substance Awareness Communication Awareness Health Awareness Time Awareness Anger Awareness
Economic Self-Sufficiency ClassesParticipants work toward economic self-sufficiency by working with their Program Advisor to explore and pursue one or more of the following:
Remedial Education Job Search
Career Exploration Job Training
College Job Support
Program Advisors provide assistance, structure and support to participants who are preparing to make transition to independent living and permanent housing. Participants complete the following classes.
Financial Management Class
Landlord/Tenant Class
Employment Survival Class
These classes are required by some participants, but open to anyone who would like to attend.
Substance Abuse Prevention Supplement
(Required by the following participants)
Homeless due to substance abuse
Recovering for less than one year
Violated THI’s Substance Abuse Policy
Voluntarily seeking help for substance abuse
Parenting Supplement
(Required by the following participants)
Reunification plan in place or being developed
Child visitation while at THI
Health Supplement
(Required by the following participants)
Medical condition
Mental Health condition
Volunteer Supplement
(Required by the following participants)
Participants who are not yet actively in an education program or employed
Participants who would benefit from pre-employment skill development
Program Advisors
Each participant has a Program Advisor to encourage, support, and nudge her toward success in meeting the goals she has established for herself. The Program Advisor assists a new participant in getting settled in her THI home, guides and supports her in designing and implementing her Personal Development Plan, and links her with both THI and community resources.
Personal Developmental Plans
All women have a Personal Development Plan while residing at THI. In her Development Plan each woman outlines her specific goals for personal growth, education, employment, and housing.
Classes, Group Activities, Workshops
THI offers an array of opportunities for growth and learning. All participants must complete a series of 12 Life Management Classes during their first three months at THI. Classes range from Goal Setting to Self Awareness and Relationship Awareness. During the following months women establish Economic Self-Sufficiency and Independent Living goals and
participate in classes to support these goals. Supplemental Classes addressing a variety of areas. THI volunteers and staff also offer a variety of special opportunities such as the Performing and Graphic Arts Program, a Book Club, morning meditation, tutoring, and family programs for women and their children who often visit on weekends. Classes, activities and workshops are listed on the
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A Residents’ Council meets twice each month. This is an opportunity for THI residents to voice their concerns, suggestions and opinions about their program. The women also share information with one another and plan special events for the THI community. All THI residents are encouraged to participate.
Family Program
Children are frequent weekend guests at THI. At any time about a third of THI residents are working toward reunification with their children when they move into their own home. The Family Program is designed to teach moms how to support their children in becoming healthy, proud and capable people and to preserve the strengths of their family. In addition to parenting classes offered four times a month for mothers, two Saturdays each month are devoted to family activities. Mothers and children enjoy arts and crafts, special community outings, celebrating the holidays, or just making lunch together. Children interact with one another in their own groups, addressing such topics as handling anger, non-violent behavior, dealing with bullying, violence in school, street peace, and dealing with conflict, drugs, and tobacco.
Health & Wellness Programs
Health and wellness programs focus on all aspects of the woman’s health - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Health Awareness classes not only review women’s sexual, reproductive health, but include general health and nutrition. Women have an opportunity to learn about working with the health care system and are assisted in accessing available community health care options. Community agencies, health care providers, and volunteers come to THI to provide health screenings and education as well as welcome residents at their facilities. A variety of special workshops such as yoga, meditation, journaling, and other opportunities for reflection and growth are offered throughout the year. In addition to Program Advisors, a licensed counselor and a spiritual counselor offer emotional support.
HIV/AIDS
THI offers AIDS education both to the women of THI through the Positive Living Program and to women in area shelters through the Reach Out and Stop AIDS Program. Using a peer-to-peer mobile health prevention education model and THI staff support, these programs educate women about risks associated with HIV/AIDS and STDs, and encourage a personal commitment to sustain changed behavior through peer counseling and support groups. These sessions also increase awareness about personal health issues.
Because addiction touches so many lives, Substance Awareness is one of THI's 12 Life Management Classes that all women complete in their first three months. Individual support and counseling for women in recovery
and classes and activities for the children of THI participants are also offered. Healing after Addiction, a 12 week course, is one way THI supports women addressing the challenges of addiction. Participants in this program have less than one year of recovery and have completed a treatment program. Building self-esteem, self worth and lessening denial systems are in the forefront of this program.
Woman to Woman Mentoring Program
The Woman to Woman Mentoring Program is a volunteer-driven intervention program for the women of Transitional Housing, Inc. It provides participants with the opportunity for a long-term, stable relationship with a volunteer mentor who truly cares about them. The mentoring program is designed to complement the existing programs and services for women at THI. It helps participants find the best in themselves and live up to their potential.
Are you ready for a challenge? Become a mentor.
Spend a few hours each month working one-on-one,
helping women by coaching, supporting,
empowering, sharing and protecting.
We schedule workshops
to train volunteers in the mentoring process.Click here for a Mentoring Application Form
that you can print from your browser, complete,
and send to us by mail or fax.We'll be in touch with you.
Contact Denise Jackson at 216 781-2250 for more information.
Something from the Heart
Performing and Graphic Arts Program
Expression through the arts can be a healing process. The Something from the Heart Performing and Graphic Arts Program includes opportunities for THI women to express their creativity in a variety of ways. Opportunities include activities such as a weekly Creative Art class and creative stitching which includes such things as quilting, sewing, and knitting. Women are encouraged to display their art and have participated in
local art shows. Something from the Heart, Something from the Soul is a highlight of this program. Drawing on their deepest personal experiences, the women offer a powerful expression of their journeys through recovery to empowerment through drama, music, dance, song, poetry and art. Presented in April 2004 at Trinity Cathedral and in 2003 at Cleveland Public Theater, each performance is unique. Those attending are not only supporting the women of THI but also gaining a better understanding of the lives of formerly homeless women.
An Follow-Up Coordinator provides supportive services, including ongoing home visits, for eighteen months following a participant’s move into permanent housing. Staff assist the women in practical areas such as securing home furnishings or working with her landlord, as well as accessing community resources. But most of all, staff are encouragers and advocates, assisting the THI graduate in settling into her new home and new life.
