Central Arizona Shelter Services, Inc.

Our current organizational goals are focused on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those experiencing homelessness in our community. Our primary programmatic goals are:
1. Shelter, protect, and isolate 450-500 individuals experiencing homelessness per day at the CASS adult homeless emergency shelter and the CASS Project Haven hotel.
2. Shelter 100-120 family members per day at the CASS family emergency shelter.
3. Support 700 people who are either experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to get back into housing.

Our fiscal year key impact goals are:
• 5,000 individuals and family members experiencing homelessness provided safe shelter and supportive services.
• 200,000 bed nights provided to individuals and family members experiencing homelessness.
• 700 individuals provided with internal housing services assistance (including rapid rehousing, flexible financial assistance, eviction prevention, and relocation assistance)

CASS addresses three critical community needs: 1) the need for immediate shelter for those experiencing homelessness; 2) the need for support/case management services to help those in shelter overcome barriers; and 3) the need for assistance in finding stable housing. CASS' programs aim to shelter, support, and house our community members experiencing homelessness and are informed by current effective practices. Extensive research supports that low-barrier/demand shelter programs, such as those offered at CASS, are most effective when coupled with case management and other engagement strategies. (Effectiveness of Case Management for Homeless Persons: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Public Health, October 2013, Vol. 103, No. 10). Through our decades of services, this has also been CASS’ experience. Put simply, 1:1 direct support helps case managers build rapport and trust with clients facing many challenges. From this foundation, we are able to help people resolve their homelessness permanently.

CASS acknowledges the human dignity of each client and takes a holistic approach in ending each person’s experience of homelessness. Minimal barriers to shelter entry make it possible for the most vulnerable clients to access services. We combine that with a progressive case management model that ensures individualized support based on the needs of every person. This approach makes a lasting impact in the lives of those who go through our doors: people who move into housing after stabilization in a shelter are more likely to sustain their housing.

A little support can go a long way in ending someone’s homelessness. Whenever possible, staff reunites new clients with family or friends across the country by providing individuals with bus tickets. In some cases, case management has even been able to help clients return to their own homes after they had become stranded in Phoenix. CASS also manages funds to assist clients with move-in costs and eviction arrears. These funds help alleviate expensive up-front costs and expedite the move from shelter to housing.

CASS fosters an environment of ongoing learning among staff members to maintain the most current and effective practices. Staff and case management receive training in trauma-informed and client-centered care, mental health first aid, and motivational interviewing. CASS also remains in dialogue both with clients and the community to find new solutions and grow as an organization upon a strong foundation of respect, innovation, and partnership.

Founded in 1984, CASS is Arizona’s largest and longest serving emergency shelter program for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. In the 35 years since its founding, CASS has worked tirelessly to end homelessness by providing shelter, case management, and housing services to more than 150,000 community members.

CASS is led by Lisa Glow, who holds a J.D. and has more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, as well as extensive experience in public policy, fundraising and nonprofit capacity building and has been with the agency for five years. CASS’s Programs are supervised by Program Director Mary Glennon, who holds an MSW and has been with the agency for ten years.

All direct service staff, including client care coordinators, navigators, security, and case management, receive training in trauma informed care. Case management receives additional training in housing resources, motivational interviewing, and mental health first aid.

In the 35 years since its founding, CASS has worked tirelessly to end homelessness by providing shelter, case management, and housing services to more than 150,000 community members. During FY 2021, CASS:
* Served 5,094 community members experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
* Provided shelter to 4,329 individuals and family members, for a total of 206,143 bed nights
* Supported 2,596 clients with case management services
* Housed individuals provided with internal housing services assistance (including rapid rehousing, flexible financial assistance, eviction prevention, and relocation assistance)
* Helped 1,303 find a home!