Rebuilding lives.  One brick at a time.” 

The Brick House believes that recovering from poverty and building a new life takes time, commitment, and support.  For years, homeless families have sought refuge in our shelter.  The staff at the Brick House is dedicated to helping others build a strong foundation to live productive, self-sufficient lives.  Together we will begin revitalizing our community, end homelessness, create healthier families, and assure that no child will go without food or shelter.
 

3.5 Million individuals are homeless each year.

1.35 Million are children

The Brick House Homeless Shelter provides 24 hour 7 day a week shelter for homeless families. Homelessness is caused by a multitude of reasons:  fleeing a violent home, un-and-under-employment, inability to budget for crucial needs, lack of “soft” skills necessary for job retention, lack of skills necessary to obtain higher paying employment, unreliable or no transportation, and lack of child and/or health care. 

The Brick House provides an emergency shelter to families which consist primarily of single women with children. In 2006 152 individuals, including: 74 families, 31 children, and 38 victims of domestic violence received shelter and 41 individuals moved on to the transitional housing program. 

In addition to this essential service, The Brick House has an additional employment, life skills, and budgeting programs available to homeless families.  Currently there are 53 members in the Passport to Success Employment Program.  Residents stay in the shelter for up to 90 days.  There are also 16 units of transitional housing for the homeless that are filled with former shelter residents that require more intensive services.  These residents have up to twenty-four months of subsidized housing and access to supportive services.  Services provided to both shelter and transitional residents include:

• Help locating essential items (food, clothing, and other personal care items)
• Twenty four hour seven day a week emergency shelter/housing
• Self-sufficiency planning
• Job search assistance                                                              
• Job retention counseling
• Budgeting
• Credit counseling
• Transportation
• Advocacy
• Assistance in locating permanent housing
• Monthly classes
  • Nutrition
  • Job search and retention
  • Budgeting and finance
  • Domestic violence awareness
  • Parenting classes

Employment services include:

 Intensive intake

An inventory of barriers, as well as assets, and the development of a career strategy.

Self-sufficiency plans

Plans made with a case manager and signed by participants to identify a strategy for customers to become income secure.

Living wage budgets

A general budget will be created (based upon home/rental search) to determine how much they need to make to be able to pay their bills.

Living budgets

Budgets will be done after residents move into permanent or transitional housing to reiterate budgeting education and include more realistic estimates of costs.

 Job search

The Employment Counselor will help identify employment opportunities, assist in preparing resumes, job applications, and practicing interviewing skills.  Classes are held monthly on job search education.

Job retention

Job retention classes are also held in conjunction with the job search classes.  One on one job retention counseling will take place on a continual basis by opening a dialogue about work and overcoming barriers previously identified.

 Financial assistance to participants

An assessment of family’s needs, such as interview clothing, driver’s license, gas or transportation vouchers, car repairs, etc. to help participants find and maintain employment and purchases those items for the participant.  (Based on the availability of funds)

Linkage to community resources

The Employment Counselor will also link families to community resources for employment and training, food stamps, medical cards, emergency assistance, transportation, and child care necessary to retain employment.  The program has also recruited several local businesses to come in to the shelter and interview participants as if they were applying for the job at their place of business.  Participants are given feedback on their presentation and coached on how to improve their interviewing skills.  This practice has even resulted in some participants gaining employment.

Ongoing support

Resident progress will be monitored on a regular basis for attendance, punctuality, and job satisfaction.  With the permission of the resident, staff may also meet with the resident’s supervisor at the place of employment, for an assessment of the employee’s work and chances for advancement.