Ways We Help
Our Programs
“Do small things with great love”
~ Mother Teresa
Bare Necessities
This program primarily serves the most underserved parent population – teen parents and their children. Our mission, originally founded in 2005, addressed the unmet needs and unique circumstances of parents under age 18, who have full legal responsibility for their child, yet are not their own legal guardian. And, they do not qualify for governmental assistance which is available to disadvantaged adults. It is statistically-proven, that unless teen parents are supported to stay in school, can secure/maintain safe, stable housing, learn to navigate/use social service systems, and gain skills to earn a living wage, they (and their children) are destined to live in extreme poverty for rest of their lives.
We know what the “bare necessities” are to take care of a baby, toddler, or preschooler. We have on-hand over 200 essential items, plus school supplies, basic household items, and other little things a parent often needs. These items are unaffordable, hard to get without transportation, and not provided anywhere else – such as strollers, umbrellas, trash cans, baby bottles, sippy cups, diaper bags, backpacks, tampons/pads, laundry detergent, pens/paper, snacks. In some situations, a teen parent might need monthly or periodic support to overcome daily challenges and keep on track with self-sufficiency goals.
The basic requirement to participate in this program is to stay in school/complete an education while we take care of the rest!
Call to find out if you qualify to receive ongoing support. Leave us a message at any time of the day or night. Our next available Visitation Volunteer, who is caring and nonjudgmental, will respond to your call and request (usually within a week). Then, these bare necessities will be brought to you wherever is most comfortable and convenient for you – i.e. school, home, library, clinic waiting area, shopping mall, laundry facility, transit center, convenience store parking lot – anywhere within our service area boundaries.
Teen parents frequently testify, “I would have dropped out of school many times if it had not been for all of your support”. So, please don’t drop out of school to get a minimum wage job. And, if you already did, get re-enrolled. Let us help you! Call now – we are ready and very willing to serve you and your child.
This level of essential support can be extended up through age 21 if the parent is still working to acquire housing, get job training, attend trade school/college classes and/or seek better employment.
L.O.V.E. Your Baby Opportunity
L.O.V.E. = Let Our Volunteers Embrace Your Baby (and you) by making sure you have everything that you need, but cannot afford – while you are pregnant, in labor/delivery, breastfeeding, and taking care of your baby for the first 6 months after birth. Any mom of any age who has already made the decision to bring her child into the world and does not have the means/income to get the most basic, essential baby clothing, supplies, equipment and furniture, is eligible to obtain an application for this opportunity. Even if this is not your first child, you may still qualify for support from this program.
Call to get more info and have forms sent to you.
A Way Inn
Answering calls for housing assistance are the most heartbreaking requests our organization experiences because we know housing options are very limited. It is a real troubling (and growing) crisis, with no immediate solution. Getting on a waiting list can still mean not having a place to live for 6 months to a year. And, it is much worse for a young pregnant woman or a single mom with small children. For a teen parent, it is nearly impossible. If you need housing or shelter, please see the list of Helpful Information/Local Resources on the How We Help page.
Even though we are not a home or shelter and are unable to give rent assistance to prevent eviction – we still can help in several ways. We give support to maintain access to housing programs and other community resources while having no place to live, such as partial payments to keep cell phones connected and use of a secure, temporary mailing address. Also, if a parent is currently “couch-surfing” or “house-hopping” between family or friends, we can provide essential personal hygiene and household items (i.e. toothpaste, deodorant, soap, toilet paper, laundry detergent, towels), plus, a 3-day supply of food. Oftentimes, this helps contribute enough to be able to stay in one place for a longer period. To prevent eviction, we can also provide more necessities for a month, in order to save money towards rent. If you are living in a car, we can put fuel in your tank, and bring other things to stay clean, warm, and dry.
When a family finally gets a place to live, they can apply for our program to get all the basics and essential items needed to set up a household (which adds up to about $350) This helps offset costs of rental applications, deposits, and other move-in expenses. Plus, makes it feel like HOME, right from the start.
Joe’s Place
It’s no really a “place” to hang out. But, rather a program which encourages Dads to be as involved as possible in holding the very important “place” (role) in their child’s life.
Fathers of all ages periodically need support – call us if you are experiencing a temporary tough time (not able to provide for your child what is needed right now) or are in urgent need (lost job, got sudden full custody, about to become homeless).
Or, just call if you want to become a better Dad. We also know about other places Dads can to turn to for support.
Looking For Assistance?
Please CALL us for HELP!
Our Caring Volunteers Are Ready to Give You What You Need.
