The Mission of Yahweh, Inc.

This program typically accommodates 25% of The Mission’s residents, providing housing for up to two years for both single women and women with children. The program provides a room and private bath for up to 30 residents along with case management and a variety of programs to assist women from overcoming the issues that caused their homelessness. The program requires the resident to be dedicated to becoming self-sufficient, remain alcohol and drug free and have full-time employment. As with the 30 to 90 day Program, the resident must participate in the Resident Responsibility Program by maintaining their rooms in a clean and orderly fashion.

Located on The Mission's campus, The Spindletop House of Joy was opened in 2006 to provide educational classes and recreational opportunities for residents. Each child's medical, mental and academic health is assessed and an academic plan is established, tailored to his or her needs. Children are equipped with school supplies, uniforms and school clothes and are enrolled in local schools. Cy-Fair ISD provides daily transportation and professional tutoring two days per week. The Mission provides an additional three days of tutoring by volunteers. The Mission also offers after-school activities, field trips, ArtBridge arts/crafts classes and movie nights. A summer camp program for resident children keeps them engaged and reinforces lessons taught throughout the school year along with field trips to fun and educational venues. The program now offers a licensed childcare facility operating from 8:00 to 5:30 M - F. This is not simply babysitting but an educational program.

Through the Community Outreach Program, low-income families that live within a 6-zip code region are served. The Mission Thrift Store offers low-cost clothing and household items. The Food Pantry is open to the community 7 days per week. Children are served through a back to school backpack giveaway and free summer lunch program for neighborhood youth. During the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are given out and "Santa's Helpers" Christmas party toy giveaway ensures that children and adults enjoy their holidays.

In 2017 The Mission embarked on the Workforce Integration Now (WIN) Program. This important program was developed to address the problem that upon exit from The Mission, the majority of women are employed at minimum wage which earns $15,080 annually, or $1,257/month. It is critical that these women, many with children to support, enhance their ability to earn a livable wage to ensure that they can sustain their independence.

At inception of the WIN Program, The Mission executed a formal Affiliation Agreement with the Houston Community College System (HCCS) to provide several short-term certificate programs. As the program evolved, we expanded this to include certificate programs from Lonestar Community College and other educational institutions that provide career training that will prepare resident women for higher paying careers. Participants are provided transportation and day care by The Mission of Yahweh, as required. Examples of certificate programs include: Child Development Associate; Desktop Support Specialist; Payroll Specialist; Surgical Tech; Certified Nurse's Aide; and Patient Care Technician, among others. The jobs that result from these certificate programs create employment opportunities that provide sustainable income for women and their families to live secure and independent lives.

Through 2018, 20 women have received scholarships. The average salaries they will receive in their chosen fields will double their current minimum wage jobs.

Since 2012, The Mission of Yahweh has set aside beds specifically for the growing number of homeless seniors we see that face employment roadblocks due to a variety of factors, often including age discrimination. In 2018, The Mission served an average of fourteen seniors monthly – up from four seniors in 2012. Approximately four beds for seniors are supported through grant funds from the Isla Carroll Turner Friendship Trust. In 2017 we formalized the Senior Plus Program to accept current residents who have been in The Mission’s Emergency shelter, and/or those who have completed the Transitional Housing program and meet the age requirement of sixty years old or older. Clients must continue to work toward establishing, and maintaining goals that resemble a real life setting. The goals set are intended for their move into permanent housing, determined on a case by case basis through their Individual Service Plan. Residents must begin the process of receiving financial benefits (SSI, SSDI, retirement, etc.); save 25% of their gross income; maintain monthly appointments with the Vocational Coordinator to provide financial documentation, work/school schedules, etc.; and make regular appointments with Case Management to review progress in moving toward a two year self-sufficiency plan. In 2019, we are pursuing an Adopt A Senior Buddy Program utilizing questionnaires to match senior residents with a volunteer. These profiles will also assist in fashioning social and recreational activities of interest.

The need for dental care is substantial as many of these women have gone without dental care for long periods of time, resulting in poor dental hygiene and a variety of painful, unattractive, and costly dental issues. In order to serve this need, The Mission launched a Dental Program in collaboration with the UTHealth School of Dentistry. A dental van began visiting The Mission in 2016 on a monthly basis to complete dental assessments, cleanings and minor procedures. Those residents who require more extensive work are referred to the UTHealth School of Dentistry. Oral hygiene is also taught to the women and children, helping to set a baseline for a lifetime of improved dental health. In 2018, 100 residents were assessed and treated; 23 clients either received or are in the process of receiving more extensive dental work such as dentures, periodontal care, partials, crowns, etc. Funding from the Frees Foundation continues throughout 2019.

- Greater access to quality employment and increased educational opportunities is necessary in order to sustain and increase successful exits. A transportation gap was identified and to fill this gap, The Mission initiated a Transportation Program in 2016. Dedicated drivers with a passenger van drive resident women to attend interviews, vocational training, employment, educational classes, social services, job or career counseling and to seek housing near employment prior to exit. In 2018, our vans drove 17,450 miles to ensure that residents received safe and timely transportation.

This program was established in mid-2018 to provide spiritual teaching, discipleship and prayer to lay a firm foundation for establishing order, meaning and ethical direction for their lives. A staff Pastor/Chaplain shepherds the program including chapel held 12 times monthly; year-round Alpha Courses and New Believers Classes; a Prayer Group made up of community volunteers, and Christian counseling. We fervently believe that through the Kingdom Expansion Program we will see women’s attitudes, decision-making skills and outlook on daily life become positively changed, leading them toward achieving sustained independence. And the eternal benefit is priceless!

In the six months of its operation last year, 24 residents made professions of faith, 11 residents made re-dedications, 14 residents were baptized.

The After Care Program was initiated in 2017 in an effort to lift up residents who have recently made a successful exit from The Mission. Once a month these newly exited women are celebrated through the “Empower Shower” in partnership with Community of Faith Church. At the shower, women are provided a basket of necessities valued at approximately $375 including household items such as dishes, pots/pans, shower curtains, towels, etc. in order to help to turn their new housing into a home. In addition to the festive atmosphere, refreshments and the necessities basket, the women are made aware of ongoing supports that are being made available to them for two years post exit at The Mission. These supports include, but are not limited to, referrals to a variety of reduced cost or free services such as auto repairs, work clothes, food, back to school supplies, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, Christmas gifts, and other sources of community referrals. Counselors at Community of Faith Church stand ready to counsel the women, always free of charge. This program is intended to motivate the women to work toward their self-sufficiency in the knowledge that they have an on-going support system for two years and to help The Mission maintain contact with the women to track their progress. The women are contacted when new classes or additional supports are made available. In 2018 71 former residents participated resulting in only three cases of recidivism.