What is Network Tacoma?


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 twenty two 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.


 Low Income Housing

Our low-income housing units, located in Lakewood, provide stable housing for families who are living under the poverty line.  Because we supplement rental prices, our parents are able to afford a home for their children to grow up in.

History

Soon there will be details about the existence of the program.

Needs 

We will put some of the things we need or could use here.


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. 

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. 

5435 South M Street

Tacoma, WA 98407 

Phone: 1-253-474-9334

Fax: 1-253-474-1792

Network Services of Tacoma is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all contributions are tax-deductible.