Key to The Blessing Center, Inc. success in our "Transformative Houses of Hope" short/long term transitional housing program for homeless and at-risk young single mothers with minor children are the many targeted programs and services we provide to each of our Program Participants - with the ultimate goal of transformational-behavioral changes from their healing and recovery, leading towards personal self-sufficiency and successful rehousing and sustainable independent living.
Programs and Services Provided
Case Management: Upon acceptance into the program (following a 2 week stabilizing period) each Program Participant begins their PAL (personalized action plan) based created with employment and career goals, and incorporating their own unique hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Income enhancement goals are set in place along with possible enrollment in local Community Colleges, on-line classes and Adult School GED courses if needed. Case Managers meet weekly with each client for "Accountability Sessions" to discuss progress, reassessments and additional support services as needed.
Government Program Assistance:: Case Managers work to assist each Program Participant in applying for government programs that the client might be eligible to receive based on income and other factors (CALFresh, CALWorks, WIC, temporary unemployment benefits, etc.) The client is counseled in proper use of funds and benefits to ensure that the client understands the TEMPORARY nature of these government provided benefits and the importance of increasing income through sustainable employment opportunities.
Court Custody/CPS Assistance: When necessary Case Management interfaces directly with the Program Participant's attorney, CPS worker, supervised visit personnel, etc. to facilitate the ongoing processes of court cases and child custody orders and accompanies the client to court hearings as support and advocate as requested.
Mentoring: Each Program Participant is assigned a Mentor that has been vetted and specifically chosen to address the needs indicated in the clients initial assessment and personality profile. Each Mentor meets with their Mentee one hour weekly, either on-site or off-site, to promote healthy relational engagement and offer ongoing encouragement and support to her Mentee. After each mentoring session Mentors provide upline Case Management staff with a brief report on topics discussed, progress towards personal improvement, relationships with other residents and any children's issues.
Professional Counseling and Therapy: The Blessing Center, Inc. has had a long term working relationship and M.O.U with Citrus Counseling Services in Redlands to provide the highest quality counseling and therapy services, free of charge, for each Program Participant and their children. CCS specializes in Domestic Violence counseling and trauma-informed therapies for both mother and children. Services are provided weekly, in one hour sessions, either in-person or remotely from highly trained professionals in a variety disciplines directed towards healing and recovery.
Mid-Week Classes: Our curated and robust Classes are a core element of the Program and offers an array of need specific intensive and interactive classes to all our residents. Attendance at our Mid-week evening classes is a mandatory requirement for each Program Participant (child care provided) and consists of 7 to 8 revolving modules consisting of 3 to 6 week each. Modules are designed to address the personal growth, self-improvement and confidence building needs of each Program Participant. Classes have included - "Leadership Workshop", Women's Health, Visionary Parenting, Financial Literacy, Empowering Women (Molina Health), Para-Legal Resources, Emergency Preparedness, Diet and Nutrition-Healthy Cooking Classes, Automotive Maintenance, "Perseverance and Resilience", Self-Defense, Credit Repair, Financial Empowerment, Celebrating Families, Self-Care Assessment, and many others that are rotated in as needed. Certificates of Completion are provided to assist in building solid resumes for income and education purposes.
Produce Therapy Grow Boxes: Each family is provided a 32 sq/ft garden box as a therapeutic device for mothers and children where they can enjoy a healthy project that helps to repair and rebuild parent-child relationships that have been affected by previous exposure to unhealthy episodes in the household. This element of our program also serves to promote healthy eating habits as well as an engaging learning experience for the children.
Animal Therapy: Many years ago The Blessing Center, Inc. created a therapy animal program to allow children to experience the wonders of seeing animals give birth to young, nurse and nurture their offspring and engage with the animals in helping to raise and help with the responsibilities of caring for barnyard pets...African Pygmy goats. Baby Doll sheep, Miniature Potbelly pigs, Lion Collar bunnies and ducks and chickens all make for a fun and educational environment for the children as well as a therapeutic experience.
Summer Camping Experiences: All our children are eligible to attend local mountain camps, free of charge, provided by partners in the local Church community.
Sprout and Blossom: is a Community Partner program provided to all our children ages 4 to 12, conducted in Hannah's Garden, which consists of planting, arts and crafts, games and an array of outdoor activities designed to promote a healthy educational experience with other children in the community.
Ongoing Annual Events: Throughout the calendar year, mothers and children in the Program are provided with events and activities that serve to promote healthy and healing interactive experiences with other adults and children in the local community. Our "WALK4HOPE with Local Heroes" - held in the Spring, where moms and children can hike the grounds of the beautiful Burrage Mansion and meet real heroes - fireman, police officers, doctors and nurses and veterans along the way, making them eligible for a massive bike giveaway followed by a fun awards breakfast; "Mom's and Mentors" Mothers Day event where the Mentors treat the moms to a very special luncheon with gifts and goodies: "Back Pack Blessing"- in which a local motorcycle club adopts each child and provides back-to-school clothing and school necessities; "Friendsgiving" - Mentors treat their Mentees to a full Thanksgiving Celebration Meal; "Trunk-or-Treat" - over 200 friends and neighbors arrive on-site for a full blown Halloween experience; "Winter Wonderland" - Santa and Ms. Clause are on hand in Santa's Village along with over 300 community friends and vendors providing games, activities, food and beverages and a fully lighted antique firetruck giving rides throughout the neighborhoods; "Adopt-a-Family" Christmas Celebration for our mothers and kids with lots of gifts for all our families; and finally our annual "Gifts of Hope" Gala where the mothers in the program are treated to a real 'black-tie' event - and where several moms in the program share their personal story of hope and transformation to all in attendance.
Referral Services: As the Program Participant enters their exiting phase (12 mos. to 20 mos. in Program) approx. 4 months from exit date, Case Manager will begin to assist the client in determining housing requirements (# of BR's, location to schools, drive time, employment access, etc.) and initiate engagement with government resources if needed SBC FAP, SBC TAD Housing, HUD, etc.) Direct contact with apartment property managers, ADU owners, rental property owners begins two months out with the Program Participant enjoying the prospects of entering into their new and exciting season of independent, sustainable living in their own housing. Furniture is supplied along with kitchen and bathroom items. A Grand Graduation Party is celebrated prior to their exiting the residence where tears are shed - but each mother and children are assured that they will always be considered a part of the Program.
Post Graduation/Exiting Mentoring: After exiting the transitional housing component (on-site residency) we continue to track and monitor the off-site progress and status of each Graduate with personal visits (when feasible) and phone/zoom contact meetings to continue the "family" relationships that have been developed and to offer ongoing encouragement and support to each mother and their children.
Success Defined: The Program Participant has successfully completed the Program requirements, has exited into their own living accommodations for 4 months, has continued to be employed, children thriving in school and has progressed in relationships with healthy family and support groups. As per the preceding definition over the last 17 years over 85% of our Program Participant single mother with children families have exited SUCCESSFULLY!
