Advocacy:
The Haven staff help families and adults become financially stable, hold jobs and secure permanent housing by assessing particular needs and personal goals and providing guidance and resources to be successful; Case Managers help individuals gain access to the highest quality education, by connecting them to community programs, Vermont Adult Learning (GED) programs, and local schools.
There are three core objective of the program are to help guests:
• Achieve financial stability
• Secure jobs
• Find permanent housing
Case Managers and Shelter Staff encourage guests to participate in the Haven’s own educational programs: a parenting support group, women’s support group, and children’s educational and enrichment programming. Clients are connected with state health agencies, welfare agencies and child care, and are helped with transportation to meetings. Staff assist with searches for housing and employment, by helping with budgeting skills and providing follow-up throughout the process. Through the work of the staff, the guests quickly begin to develop self-sufficiency & financial stability which helps break the homeless cycle.
Aftercare Program:
The Haven’s Aftercare Program offers ongoing support, advocacy, nurturing, and intervention to interested clients moving from the Haven shelter into permanent housing. Former guests are offered home visits, phone contacts and connections to area resources that can be helpful to their situation. This program is vital because it helps to ensure former residents’ long-term success, prevent repeat shelter stays and provide invaluable data by which to measure the Haven’s successes and weaknesses.