Team Structure
We have volunteers who are organized into the teams that are needed to support families in transition from homelessness to having a home and living independently. Each team is tasked with connecting with our many community resources.
- Housing Resources Team
- Collaborating with property owners to find affordable apartments or houses for homeless individuals and families
- Finding donors who will contribute to a fund to pay or supplement the rent/mortgage for a family in crisis
- Building partnerships with property owners to help with maintenance and family self-sufficiency for care of home, trouble shooting and problem solving
- Maintenance and Construction Team
- Develop a group of plumbers, builders, painters, masons, carpenters, electricians who can help with apartment and home maintenance and mentoring of new home residents
- Link with housing authority maintenance team, Habitats for Humanity groups, and retired construction and home maintenance people
- Develop working relationships with property owners to ensure that apartments and houses are maintained and improved, and residents are helped with needed home repairs
- Household Needs Team
- Link with churches, service organizations and other groups to secure furniture, cooking equipment, cleaning supplies and other household needs for families moving into homes.
- Build an emergence fund that can cover first time home owner needs
- Link with New Digs for donated furniture and home supplies
- Social and Emotional Necessities Team
- Finding and developing volunteers for case management with individuals and families
- Linking and building partnerships with social service agencies and organizations
- Linking with mental health organizations and support groups
- Health Care Team
- Developing a network of doctors, dentists, nurses and psychologists/psychiatrists who can assist individuals and families with healthcare needs as they transition to homes
- Building partnerships with Sadler and other local health care providers
- Finding volunteer healthcare professionals to provide assistance to families and individuals in their homes
- Linking with mental health agencies and recovery groups
- Employment and Career Team
- Link individuals with employment skills and opportunities
- Build a network of support for job skill development, including volunteer mentors and business internships/apprenticeships, trade unions and skilled workers
- Develop partnerships with existing opportunities like Career Link, Employment Skills Center, Cyber Space and others
- Transportation and Car Maintenance Team
- Organize a car maintenance team using the skills and talents of homeless or previously homeless individuals
- Develop a car share system that can meet the needs of job seekers and newly employed people
- Coordinate with public transportation and area businesses to make good use of existing transportation and make suggestions for improvement
- Child Care and Early Childhood Education Team
- Link with local child care services to ensure care of children while parents work
- Develop child care arrangements with volunteers from churches, service organizations, retired teachers and grandparents
- Develop shared child care opportunities among newly housed families
- Create family literacy opportunities with Tri-County OIC
- Legal Team
- Link with legal aid, family law center and public defender’s office
- Connect with real estate lawyers and landlord mediation
- Link with Dickinson/PSU School of Law and the Black Law Student Association on criminal justice, housing justice, segregation and discrimination issues, employment discrimination
- Nutrition and Healthy Living Team
- Healthy food and healthy cooking mentors
- Connect with Project Share for nutritious food and youth & family cooking classes
- Connect with local grocery stores and farmers markets
- Art, Music and Dance Team
- Link with the Charles Bruce Foundation
- Link with Central PA Youth Ballet, The Green Room and CALC
- Connect with vocal music teachers, piano and guitar teachers, and other instrumental music opportunities for youth and adults
- Finance and Fund Raising Team