Families Together

YWCA Serves Families with Minor Children

Families Together

Built in 2008, Families Together consists of 10 townhouses located on YWCA’s Park Road campus. Our program provides safe, affordable housing and intensive support services for families with minor children facing homelessness. As part of the program, participants have access to services including: case management; computer instruction; career counseling; financial planning services, educational workshops, access to our Co-Ed Fitness Center and social activities. Each family can remain in the program for up to 18 months.

Families Together staff seek to create a safe, nurturing environment in which each family is encouraged to meet their needs constructively and to take responsibility to gain greater self-reliance. The goals of the program include permanent housing upon exiting the program, adequate income and savings to sustain permanent housing, strengthened family systems and improved sense of self-worth and being.

YWCA's Impact

In FY 2023/2024, 80% of families successfully moved into permanent, affordable housing upon exiting our program. 80% of families maintained or increased their income while enrolled in YWCA’s program.

"The YWCA has been very wonderful for me and my family.
It has lifted a big weight off my shoulders and has allowed
me to focus more on myself, my future and my finances."
Patricia

Admission

Participation in our program is by referral only. Referrals come from our partner agencies such as emergency and domestic violence shelters, substance abuse treatment programs, hospitals, and mental health facilities.

Requirements

  • Families must consist of at least three members with at least one minor child.
  • One head of household must be at least 18 years of age.
  •  Head of household and all other adults in the home (with the exception of students) should have verifiable income falling between 20% – 50% (income such as court-ordered child support, SSI, unemployment, etc. would now qualify as sole income for entry-income).
  • The motivation and ability to make positive changes, as determined through assessment.
  • A fit between the family’s needs for growth and the level of supportive services offered by YWCA’s Families Together program.
  • Ability to function in a minimally supervised supportive housing situation without intensive or frequent monitoring.
  • If family members are not biologically related, they need to have lived together for at least one year prior to applying to the program.

Program Services

  • Affordable housing at below-market rates (monthly fees are based on 30% of gross household income).
  • An assessment by a trained clinician to determine possible needs for mental health and/or substance abuse counseling, medical attention, etc. and recommendations to access these services. Participants are required to continue any recommended outside treatment until it is complete.
  • Support in the development of housing, career, financial, health, and personal goals that are reviewed at scheduled appointments with a case manager every 1-2 weeks.
  • A resource center with computers, internet access, e-mail, online tutorials and a library.
  • Educational and self-improvement workshops provided for parents and children on topics such as conflict resolution, self-esteem, parenting skills, stress management, health and fitness, money management, job search skills and creative arts.
  • On-site Youth Learning Center providing after-school and summer programs for children in grades K – 5.
  • Use of YWCA’s Co-Ed Fitness Center, including a swimming pool, group exercise classes and fitness equipment.
  • Opportunity to graduate with a Section 8 Choice Voucher (through Inlivian) upon completion of one year of participation and after meeting eligibility criteria (additional information provided at intake appointment).
  • Referrals to other community resources as needed.

More Information

Review our Families Together Information packet to learn more. Currently Families Together is full and not accepting new referrals. Given the program only has capacity for 10 families at a time and families can remain for 1.5 years, we only open referrals via our website when we have known, near-future vacancies. Feel free to check this page, which is where we will post our referral packet and referral instructions when referrals re-open.