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Program
Network-Tacoma expects to assist 48-58 homeless individuals this year in Pierce County. Most families we assist are single parents with 2-3 children and are living in shelters, with friends or in their car. Some may face eviction. Due to social and economic conditions in the community, domestic violence, job loss, divorce or death, they found themselves in circumstances that strained their resources and capabilities to the point where they needed help. Network has one emergency apartment, ten transitional housing units, and nine permanent low-income apartments. The families in emergency housing transfer to our transitional units if they are seeking a hand-up rather than a hand-out. Network then assists with seeking employment and day care, and provides automobiles or auto repair, food, furniture and household goods. Network also provides financial counseling to coordinate the path back to self-sufficiency. We expect them to be responsible and contribute to their own stability. When they are self-sufficient, they have the opportunity to move into our permanent housing. Community Garage Mission Statement: To provide affordable or free vehicle repairs to low-income residents of Pierce County History: This auto repair program began within Network Services of Tacoma's transitional housing program for homeless families with children. The car program was established in 1997. In 2001, we welcomed a full-time mechanic to our staff. He worked on vehicles that were donated to Network. After repairs, these were given to families in our program. In 2006,.Network received a grant from Pierce County CDBG for $139,000 to build or buy a Community Garage. We also received other funding from the Milgard Foundation and private donors. In 2007, we partnered with Goodwill in the Wheels to Work. We inspect and repair their donated autos. We also provide a 60-day warranty and follow-up service to their clients. On January 1, 2008, the Community Garage officially opened. On April 3, 2008, a purchase agreement for an existing building was signed. Closing and rehab of the building is estimated to be done in June 2008. Needs: The garage will need equipment, tools, and donations of time, cash, and materials to enable the program to function now and in the future. Donated autos are critical as the sale of some will be needed for operating costs. Scope of Operation:
Phase II: We will reach out to the working-poor and low-income families of Pierce County to provide affordable repair service based on sliding-scale income. Emergency and Transitional Housing Program Our primary purpose is to provide skilled case management to coordinate the path back to self-sufficiency. Network screens families who are willing to work towards this goal. Because we expect them to be responsible and contribute to their own stability, the case manager monitors the parent's initiative in obtaining job interviews and in how actively they participate in their progress towards self-sufficiency. Housing: Depending upon the size of the family, placement is in one of the fully-furnished, eight 2-bedroom apartments, or in a two-bedroom house, or a four-bedroom house. Employment: The case manager is actively involved in helping one or both parents find employment. Once a job is obtained, they are counseled on how to retain that job and how to advance in the job market. Financial Counseling: Parents also are put on a budget and receive financially counseling on a weekly basis. Other needs: Network works with churches, businesses and individuals, and other agencies to provide the other essentials such as daycare, food, clothing, household goods, and transportation. Autos that are donated to Network are repaired, if necessary, and given to our families when they are working and can afford the insurance. Long-term Planning: Through our network, Network is able to provide emotional, spiritual and financial counseling. We feel that this is needed to prevent further crisis and thus escape the cycle of poverty. Evaluation: We continue with the family for 6-12 months or until they gain the confidence and resources they need in themselves to become independent of any private or public assistance and have become self-supporting. When the family is able to secure permanent housing , they 'graduate' from our program. We measure success as the family living independently of any social service/financial program or agency for one year after their exit date with Network. In the past three years, serving 12-15 families each year, we have an approximate 70-80% success rate. |