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Applied in 2008

Single Mother Housing and Training Program

Fellowship Housing

Program Facts

  • Paid (FTE) Staff Working: 3
  • Program Participants Last Year: 42
  • Meets about 3 time(s) with each participant per month
  • Participants remain in the program for 24 months

Volunteers

Volunteers per month: 30

Volunteers are trained:

Volunteer Training
AlwaysRarely

Volunteers are actively recruited:

Volunteer Recruiting
AlwaysRarely

Board Activities

  • Formally reviews the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.
  • Formally approves the budget.
  • Ensures that arrangements with outside fund raising firms are made in writing.
  • Receives information about the financial arrangements with such firms and, if applicable, the anticipated portion of the gross proceeds that goes to the organization.
  • Has formally approved a conflict of interest policy and regularly monitors it to ensure adherence.
  • Receives, at least quarterly, the organization's financial statement.
  • Receives, at least annually, an auditor's management letter and report.
  • Convenes an audit committee.

Outcomes & Measures: (self-reported)

Outcome 1
Provide 22 homeless or at-risk single moms and their children from the northwest suburbs of Chicago with clean, subsidized apartments.

Measure
With the rising cost of rent it is becoming almost impossible for a single other headed household to afford rent and living expenses. 93% of the families in our program fall into the “Extremely Low” to “Very Low” income classification as defined by HUD. FHC provides affordable housing to moms and their children at their greatest point of crisis. This home is a stable, safe place to live while they are guided towards independence. FHC works with landlords in the community to secure rents at a reasonable rate. FHC currently has families living in three different sites throughout Schaumburg. Many transitional housing programs offer only shelters or group homes. Our moms live in retail grade apartments with working, middle-class families as their neighbors. This community environment helps create a sense of normalcy. Providing a safe place to live is an essential first step in helping a family in crisis.

Outcome 2
Set and accomplish tailor made goals in budgeting and finances, education and training, employment stability and development, life skills training and parenting, and spiritual growth with each client.

Measure
Once the family is safely housed each mom must follow the FHC program requirements to develop the career, financial, emotional and parenting skills that will lead to confidence and self-sufficiency over the long haul. A dedicated case manger commits to each family for a two year period. The case manager works closely with the moms to set and meet employment, educational, financial, personal, and family goals. Life skills are taught by trained professionals tailor made for each mom. These goals are evaluated at various points during the two ear program. The goals are case specific but often include paying down major debt, career advancement, further education, and strengthening their relationship with their children. Our program staff members have either a Masters Degree in Social Work or a college degree in Human Services and have at least a decade of experience in counseling or mentoring positions. Skilled managers yield better equipped moms. They can identify needs faster, understand the obstacles to progress better and expedite solutions more quickly than less skilled managers. The result is lasting success in two years or less. In addition, key volunteers serve as mentors to support these moms and kids as they work through the program

Outcome 3
Move each family from crisis to long term stability and independence within two years.

Measure

Change Process: (self-reported)

There is no better way to express the power of Fellowship Housing than through the countless stories of life change. The following is an excerpt from Vanessa, a single mother of two. Over the last two years in our program she has paid off all her debt and is studying to be a medical assistant.

Fellowship Housing has been a second family to me. They have hugged me when I needed to be hugged, dried my tears when I cried, lent an ear when I needed to talk, and have given me constructive criticism when I've been hard headed. My case manager, Cathie, has been there for me since day one. She's shown me total love and support. She's told me from the beginning that I would succeed and given me the push to achieve my goals. I believe that having a good attitude and a strong faith in God will carry you far. Fellowship Housing has helped with the transformation of my character

I have learned so much about myself, child rearing, budgeting, credit reports, and so much more since I've joined the program. I have gone from being broken in mind and in spirit to being stronger emotionally and spiritually.

Programs such as Fellowship Housing are needed. The tools given to you are more than just providing a family with an apartment and financial support. Fellowship Housing gives you genuine support. Fellowship Housing has provided me with wisdom and encouragement which I will forever carry with me.