SHEPHERD'S GATE

Shepherd’s Gate seeks to impart healthy and independent living to homeless and battered women and children through our 12- to 18-month Long-Term Program. Women enrolled in our program live in residence with their children while they complete a comprehensive, individualized work plan that addresses the underlying causes of their homelessness. The work plan is created in conjunction with a case manager and includes goals, objectives, action steps, and a timeline to help chart progress and maintain accountability. Based upon each woman’s plan, a case manager connects them with resources for recovery from domestic violence or drug and alcohol addictions, enrolls them in educational/vocational courses, parenting classes, and life-skills training. Counseling services—another critical element of the program—are provided to meet the residents’ psychological and emotional needs. Through individual and group counseling, residents are able to gain personal insight and strength as they develop tools for breaking cyclical patterns of dependency.

Workplace reentry and economic independence are also key aspects of our program. Case managers at Shepherd’s Gate play an integral role, as they help each woman identify her personal and professional goals. To reach their professional goals, many residents go back to school to earn certificates and degrees or complete their general education. Trainings in computer literacy, office and interview communication, time management, career advancement, and resume writing help residents build professional skills. Classes in financial literacy and budgeting are also provided to help establish an ethic of financial responsibility, and resources for credit building and debt settlement or consolidation are made available to help residents establish financial footing. Residents with legal issues are also connected with resources so that they can begin a new future with a clean record.

By the end of the program, our residents have a plan in place to acquire a job and housing, and have laid the foundation to maintain a healthy family and lifestyle. Upon program completion, 90% of residents will have secured housing and employment. A full 90% of graduates will continue to sustain housing and employment 12 months after graduating the program. This success rate far exceeds those of conventional residential programs and is a testament to the transformative power of the program.

Services for our youngest residents are designed to nurture healthy childhood development and reduce the effects of trauma. Infants, toddlers, and pre-kindergarten children receive 30 weekly hours of structured play, craft skills, and story time in a childcare setting. Older children receive mentoring, tutoring, and academic enrichment opportunities in the afternoon and on weekends. Special attention is placed on developing relationships with these older children, many of whom have been emotionally imprinted by dysfunctional family relationships, unsafe living conditions, and inconsistency. Typically, these children have never had a consistent, dependable adult in their lives and benefit tremendously from building relationships with trusted adults. During summer months, children are enrolled in summer camps and taken on recreational outings so they can heal through play and adventure and experience friendships with kids outside of Shepherd’s Gate.

The children who come to Shepherd’s Gate have traumatic histories, and as a result they have unique needs that are met, in part, through case management. Children with behavioral or emotional issues, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, receive counseling from mental health providers who specialize in children’s services. Children with cognitive delays or learning disorders are connected with resources for testing and classroom support through collaborations with local school districts and local organizations. Case management staff also help enroll children in qualifying health programs upon entry to Shepherd’s Gate, and their mothers are supported in making well-child appointments and routine dental check-ups and in following through with obtaining follow-up care. When possible and appropriate, Shepherd’s Gate staff also liaise with Child Protective Services to reunify children with their mothers. These families require additional support and case management from Shepherd’s Gate until trust and emotional healing is restored.

At Shepherd’s Gate, we provide services to everyone who arrives seeking help, regardless of race, age, religion, creed, national origin, disability, or marital or veteran status.