It doesn’t look like much now, but when we are done it will be a beautiful home full of LOVE and HOPE. As you can see below…the work has already begun. And this wouldn’t be possible without our amazing corporate Sponsors & Partners!

Won’t you please consider joining us on their journey HOME? We can’t do it without you. Click the DONATE button and give what you can. I promise you…you will not only be blessing a life and changing a life…you will be saving some as well! THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!

OUR VISION

I learned a lot in my almost 5 years on the streets and at the top of the list is this…no one gets off the streets without help.

When I became homeless, I never imagined it would be for long. I was wrong. What I thought would be a few weeks, maybe a couple of months, turned into years. And with each year that passed, that feeling of hopelessness grew. I began to “accept” that being homeless was all I had left to look forward to.

From Home Street Home’s inception, my dream was to build an organization that would be that “help” for our homeless friends. However, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. If we were going to to succeed more than we failed…a different approach was needed.

Housing does not cure homelessness. Putting a roof over someone’s head, checking on them for a few weeks and then leaving them on their own because, “they should be alright now that they are off the streets”, is why so many programs now in existence have such a poor success rate.

With more than half returning to the streets within a year.

Homelessness is a “living condition”, but those suffering from it are also suffering from so much more. You can address their living conditions, but if you don’t address what needs to be address on a personal level…what eventually led them to the streets…then all you are doing is putting a band-aid on something that needs surgery.

Our vision is to open two homes a year for the next five years, with a minimum of 4 residents per home. We will provide a safe, nurturing, positive and healthy environment for our friends, as they begin to rebuild their lives and…unlike other programs…their will be no time limit.

“One size fits all” does not work.

Healing takes time and that time varies with each individual.

At “A Place Called Home” time won’t be what’s important, only their progress.

And when they leave, it will be because they are ready to move forward.

Not back to the streets.

Steven Young, Founder/Executive Director & Formerly Homeless

Halfway house, sober house, program house or transitional housing, temporary housing, emergency housing, etc. When it comes to those who are struggling to survive life on the streets, these terms are used quite often.

However, the term you rarely hear…if at all…is HOME. except to describe their condition and then “less” is added.

It’s time to change that.

When I founded HSH, part of my dream was to provide a next step opportunity for our friends. One that would move them off the streets…not into a house…but a home…and allow them to begin the process of recovery, grow stronger, heal and eventually be ready to stand on their own two feet.

That dream is finally coming true!

“A Place Called Home” will give them that opportunity.

We are in the very early stages, but are so excited about the future. This will be a radical departure from the way things have been done in the past, however, we believe this change is long overdue. The time has come to stop getting them ready for a “house” and start getting them ready to go “home”.

Our Flagship home, “The Tomlin House”, was built in 1950. A 4 bedroom, two story, 1,685 sq. foot, Cape Cod style brick home. It sat empty for years, so there is a lot to do, but we are so excited about the possibilities. When completed it will house 4 of our friends and their journey home will begin!

But, as stated above, there is much work to be done. All the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, lights, windows, and doors have to be replaced. The interior has been gutted and the bathroom and kitchen wil be completely redone with all new amenities, appliances, cabinets, and countertops. New lighting and flooring will also be installed. The brick needs to be patched and in some places, replaced. A new front porch and rear deck will be added. As well as new landscaping.

Why do all this? Because we aren’t looking to open another “house”. This will be a HOME. One they will be proud to live in. One they deserve. The key to success is rebuilding their belief that they matter. Helping them find their self-respect and their self-worth again. Because without doing so…we will fail.

A Place Called Home will be a first of its kind. a “whatever they need” program that will address each individual’s needs and circumstances on a personal level. No “one size fits all” and no “set in stone” time frame. The goal being to provide whatever they need, for as long as the need it, to keep moving forward. With progress, not time, being what matters. Giving them every opportunity to succeed long term.

After a comprehensive intake procedure, a personalized care and action plan will be created and their journey “home” will begin.

The program will include addiction counseling and therapy if needed (including rehab)…NA and AA weekly meetings…mental health counseling…a family reunification program…needed medical, dental and vision care…educational opportunities…employment assistance and job training…basic financial planning…social reentry counseling and skills training…and one on one mentoring.

Finally…Our team will consist of licensed & trained therapists, counselors, social workers, medical professionals, business professionals, and tutors. As well as mentors from all walks of life.

OUR JOB IS NOT TO JUDGE. OUR JOB IS NOT TO FIGURE OUT IF SOMEONE DESERVES SOMETHING. OUR JOB IS TO LIFT THE FALLEN, RESTORE THE BROKEN AND HEAL THE HURTING. 

It’s a job we love doing!