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

Please find below the description and statistics for the four programs: 

(I.)       Food & Shelter Program;

(II.)      Change & Independence Program;

(III.)    Homelessness Prevention Program; and

(IV.)    Permanent Supportive Housing Program.

I.          FOOD & SHELTER PROGRAM: 

Dinner is served at 7:30pm every evening to approximately 100 adults.  Breakfast and lunch is served daily to our 50 Shelter Residents.  An additional Breakfast is provided during the morning drop-in hours on weekdays for 50 adults.  We serve 300 meals daily!  Overnight shelter is provided to 50 men and women.  The guests receive the following case management services:

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

Dinner is prepared and served to 100 guests nightly, by 3,000 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, which increased to 66,890 meals in 2008.  We served 84,890 meals in 2009 & we estimate that we will serve more than 90,000 meals in 2010.

97 Shelter Residents moved from the street to our shelter to their own homes in 2009!  
 

 II.        CHANGE & INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM:

The Integrated Living Program (ILP) has been in operation since 1998 and was re-developed in October 2008 to become the Change & Independence Program (CIP).  The program provides job readiness and life skills training 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 Programs and Creative Expressions Workshops, which include the following:

·  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 CIP consists of group counseling in the following areas:  interviewing, salary negotiation, timelines, money management, conflict resolution, and a myriad of job issues.  Additionally, a vocational specialist meets with guests individually to build their resumes and apply for jobs.

Number of CIP Participants EMPLOYED in 2009:            

51 Employed Shelter Residents, which increased from 19 in 2008 & 7 in 2007.

·  Computer Literacy Program:

   Two weekly computer training sessions provide guests 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.  As the program progresses, students learn about Microsoft applications and the vast resources of the Internet for job-searching and finding information.

·  Mentoring & Tutoring:

   Guests develop one-on-one relationships with volunteers from the community.  Such relationships are critically important in avoiding depression and keeping guests focused on achieving their goals.  Many of our guests 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.  Individual employment counseling and resume writing sessions provided develops interpersonal skills and builds self-esteem in preparation for job interviews.  Additionally, guests appreciate time spent with volunteers who share the simple gift of conversation. 

·  Alumni Support Group:

   Support and education does not end when an individual completes the CIP or moves out of the Shelter.  The Alumni Support Group is promoted throughout the course and guests are encouraged to participate in the weekly sessions to discuss a range of issues related to life, addiction, 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.  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 Creative Writing workshop began in 1999 by playwrights who were interested in working with the homeless.  This workshop is currently led by an independent filmmaker who writes, directs, and produces short and full length films.  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 & Discussion Group:

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

·  Chess & Games Workshop:

The strategy and techniques of chess is discussed and tournaments are held.  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.  Additional games are played like Dominoes, Checkers, Trivial Pursuit, Othello, and several card games.  This creative program encourages dialogue and increased the social interactions between our guests and volunteers.

 

·  Music & Movement Sessions:

Music is played for guests prior to and during Saturday dinner, which includes Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Ragtime, Rap, Opera, Classical, Gospel, and more.  Professional musicians and choirs also perform.  Guests are encouraged to share their musical talents and perform, too.  The music and song inspire dance and movement.  Additionally, Tai-Chi and Yoga sessions are led by certified instructors who conduct weekly instruction that is suitable for beginning students.  Participants are introduced to various cultural expressions, rhythms, motions, and different modes of music.  The focus of movement is to increase body awareness, learn basic postures, and practice therapeutic breathing.  These sessions help our guests with relaxation and enjoyment.

III.       HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM:

The Homelessness Prevention Program provides rental and utility assistance to people facing imminent eviction, counseling for tenant rights, and referrals to appropriate agencies.

465 Men, Women, & Children received assistance in order to stay in their homes & prevent their homelessness in 2009.          

IV.       PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM:

The goal is to help our homeless neighbors move from the street to our shelter to their own homes.  This program consists of two components. 

First, through intensive case management services, guests are assisted with finding and applying for apartments.  Additional support services are provided to former Shelter Residents to help them become housed and stay housed, which include:

• counseling for tenant rights,
• referrals to appropriate agencies,
• budget counseling,
• food provisions, and
• furniture and house ware supplies.

Second, through partnerships with affordable housing programs and government project-based vouchers (PBV) for rental subsidies, Shelter Residents are provided with their own apartment along with clinical supervision provided by the Shelter’s Assistant Director, which include:

• Independent Living Skills Training – Assist in the development of a self-directed plan for work, education, medical, recreation, or social needs. 
• Information and Referral – Provide contact information for transportation, health care, mental health, and day care resources available to disabled individuals as they seek to implement their independent living plan. 
• Peer Support – Offer support network to individuals with a disability where they can share their concerns and learn about solutions.  This gives members an opportunity to share their knowledge and benefit from the experience of others. 
• Family & Community Education – Will help to educate the other family members who provide support for the individual with a disability so that the support network is informed and involved. 
• Advocacy – Will advocate on behalf of the individual with a disability if that person has been mistreated or discriminated against by other entities or individuals.

4 Former Shelter Residents are Tenants in our PSHP Apartments.

97 Shelter Residents moved from the street to our shelter to their own homes in 2009!  
 

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