HOUSE OF NEIGHBORLY SERVICE

Serves homeless adults through day shelter, case management, hygiene services (showers/laundry), access to phone/mail/computer, mental/physical health services, job/life skills education, overnight inclement weather shelter.

Family Promise, a program of House of Neighborly Service, serves families with children that are experiencing homelessness. Emergency needs are met through hotel shelter nights, and access to the Day Center for laundry, family meals or activities. Intensive case management, and education programs are a requirement for families entering this program in an effort to stabilize their current situations while also providing the tools necessary to move the family toward self-sufficiency. Computers are available for pursing employment, applying for benefits, obtaining vital education, and learning new job skills. Case managers work closely with parents to identify and address barriers to obtaining stable housing and improving family relationships so that the family can stay together and work toward a safe, stable future. .

Food is the cornerstone of HNS's services and often the most urgent need presented at intake. Individuals and families are eligible to receive a food basket up to 2x/month. Baskets are designed to meet many different dietary needs and supply families with seven days of groceries to prepare complete meals. In an effort to accommodate the homeless population, baskets are available that do not require refrigeration or preparation. Additionally, when available, baskets include hygiene items, diapers, senior supplements, and even pet food. Special baskets are offered at the holidays in addition to the regular food items.

The basic needs crisis intervention program offers assistance in paying for utilities, prescriptions and gas for job or medical needs as these critical expenses may create instability in the household and put people at risk of becoming homeless. Other supports include back to school supplies, and referrals to other critical service agencies to address unmet needs that contribute to the crisis situation.

In an effort to prevent at-risk families from entering the child welfare system, HNS partners with Larimer County Department of Human Services and Child Welfare to implement Family Navigators . Families with children aged 0-18 work one-on-one with the Family Navigator to address issues, crises, or barriers that are preventing them from optimal functioning. The assistance may be short or long term depending on the family's unique needs and ultimately seeks to prevent negative outcomes and reduce the number of children involved with child welfare.

HNS partners with utility providers, pharmacies, and gas stations to help meet a client's urgent need so they can remain stable, healthy and employed. Clients are asked to provide documentation of the emergency and proof of their current income.

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a free parent education program available to families with children birth to age 5 or families who are expecting a child. Parents receive information regarding each stage of your child's development, activities to use with your child, and support for your parenting questions and concerns.

PAT is designed to foster strong, loving relationships between parents and their children. In the first few years, children learn more and at a faster pace than at any other time in life. Babies are born to learn, and we support parents as the child's first and most important teacher.

By the age of three, PAT children are significantly more advanced in language, problem solving, cognitive abilities and social development than the non-PAT children in the comparison group.

PAT children score higher on kindergarten readiness and standardized achievement tests in the early grades.
PAT parents display confidence in their parenting role and read more often to their children.
PAT parents are more involved in their children's schooling which is KEY to the child's success in school.

Our Mission is to provide the information, support, and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.