The Hoboken Shelter offers its guests a number of educational and life-enriching programs.  

Please find below the description for the four programs: 

(I.)       Food & Shelter Program;

(II.)      Integrated Living Program;

(III.)     Intensive Day Treatment Program; and

(IV.)     Homelessness Prevention Program.

I.          FOOD & SHELTER PROGRAM: 

The shelter serves evening meals to everyone who arrives at our door for approximately 100 people per night, provides breakfast and lunches daily to shelter residents, and provides overnight shelter to 35 men and 15 women nightly.  Our services have been enhanced in 2001-2002 with the renovated upstairs area, complete with two full bathrooms.  

Shelter Residents also receive the following case management services:

• Drug & Alcohol Counseling,
• Budget Counseling,
• Medication Counseling, and
• Emergency Clothes.

Dinner is prepared and served to 80-100 guests nightly, by 2,200 volunteers throughout the year.  We always welcome new faces!  We know you have lots of other obligations, so we give you the flexibility of coming any night that is convenient for you.  For details on volunteering, click Volunteers' Page.

The demand for our services is dramatically increasing daily since we served 54,593 meals in 2005, 64,412 meals in 2006, and then served 66,844 in 2007.  It is estimated that we will serve 73,000 meals in 2008.  

84 Shelter Residents moved from the street to our shelter to their own homes in 2007.  This averaged 7 guests per month becoming permanently housed.  This increased from our 71 guests who we helped to become permanently housed in 2006, which averaged 6/month.  I am proud to report that already this year, 18 Shelter Residents have become successfully housed!
 

 II.        INTEGRATED LIVING PROGRAM:

The Integrated Living Program (ILP) has been in operation since 1998.  The program provides job readiness and life skills training; addiction counseling, and health care advisement, in conjunction with creative workshops to help participants heal from the isolating, demoralizing experience of homelessness while learning how to articulate personal goals and build self-esteem.  The program is centered on the following elements:  Job & Life Skills Program; Relaxation and Anchoring Workshop; Computer Literacy Program; Mentoring & Tutoring; Alumni Support Group;

Visual Arts Workshop; Creative Writing Workshop; Movie Group; Chess Workshop; and Spiritual Discussion.

·  Job & Life Skills Program:

   The program places an emphasis on identifying the unique skills possessed by each homeless client and applying them to the challenges of finding employment and mastering key job and life skills.  This component of the ILP consists of an initial assessment followed by an intensive four-week instruction in the following areas:  Resume Writing, Interviewing, Salary Negotiation, Basic Computer Skills, Timelines, Money Management, and Conflict Resolution.

·  Relaxation and Anchoring Workshop:

   The homeless experience a high incidence of stress and anxiety.  To afford some relief to participants, an important component of our ILP is relaxation.  A practicing certified neuro-linguistic programmer and hypnotist introduces relaxation as an experiential event.  This is brought about by the use of progressive relaxation.  Once a relaxed state is achieved, it is anchored by having the participants perform a physical act of their choice, such as forming a circle by joining thumb and forefinger together lightly at the finger tips or forming a slack fist.  The value of this exercise is that participants are enabled to alter their state to a more resourceful one at their discretion by this physical act and its relaxation response.  Participants are encouraged to practice this technique during stressful situations, including job interviews. 

·  Computer Literacy Program:

   Two weekly computer training sessions provide clients with the chance to develop basic computer skills and to master advanced programs.  Experienced instructors provide small-group computer training using our dedicated computer lab.  The lab is equipped with seven PCs, which were generously donated and set-up through the in-kind donation from Wiley & Sons Publishing, and a cable modem, which allows for fast Internet connections to facilitate on-line job searching and researching educational opportunities.  These workshops are adjusted each week based on the experience level of the participating students.  Some classes focus on the basics of using a computer and creating documents using Microsoft Word.  After students feel comfortable with the basics, the class moves on to explore Clip Art, Word Art, and other features of Microsoft Word.  As the program progresses, students learn about Microsoft Excel and the vast resources of the Internet for job-searching and finding information.

 ·  Mentoring & Tutoring:

   Clients develop one-on-one relationships with volunteers from the community.  Such relationships are critically important in avoiding depression and keeping clients focused on achieving their goals.  Many of our clients realize the importance of a high school diploma; thus, tutoring in preparation for the General Education Diploma (GED) is offered.  We also provide English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring and link with off-site programs to serve our Spanish speaking population.  Additionally, the individual employment counseling and resume writing sessions provided develops interpersonal skills and builds self-esteem in preparation for job interviews.

·  Alumni Support Group:

   Support and education does not end when an individual completes the Integrated Living Program or moves out of the shelter.  The Alumni Support Group is promoted throughout the course and clients are encouraged to participate in the weekly sessions to discuss a range of issues related to life and work.  The group is led by a Licensed Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor who provides support, resources, and a caring ear.  All are welcome to join the group and to meet individually with the Counselor.

·  Visual Arts Workshop:

   An instructor encourages the participants in the weekly workshop to sketch using a variety of mediums.  The instructor invites the clients to find patterns and symmetry in their environment.  Spatial elements and proportion are also developed.  The basics of painting are explored through color, design, texture, and lighting.  The participants are introduced to works from different artists and study various art genres like pointillism, cubism, concentric circles, and woven patterns.  The workshop is informal and designed to invite participation and provide a time of creativity, relaxation, and enjoyment.  This workshop emphasizes creative expression and the discovery of hidden talents.  

·  Creative Writing Workshop:

   The instructor provides a creative atmosphere for our clients to express themselves and produce their own writings.  This workshop emphasizes how writing can be helpful in improving communication, reducing anxiety, and gaining insight. 

·  Movie Group:

   Sunday afternoon movies are curated by the Assistant Director.  He facilitates conversations and creative discourse following each viewing.  This activity provides a fun outlet for the stressful lives our guests lead and fosters socialization of our clients to help the process of re-integration into society. 

·  Chess Workshop:

   The strategy and techniques of chess is discussed and tournaments are held during this weekly workshop.  The instruction of the game carries over into considering life choices while our clients are learning specific decision-making skills.  The Chess Workshop began in 2005 and has sparked the interests of many of our guests who now play chess nightly before dinner.  This creative program encourages dialogue and increased the social interactions between our guests.

·  Spiritual Discussion:

   This forum is a journey in discovering one’s spiritual center and developing personal connections with others.

6,021 individuals have participated in the following workshops in 2007, which is an increase from 5,237 participants in 2006 & 2,980 participants in 2005.