TARGET POPULATION
Our target population is transitional age foster youth, returning citizens, and folks experiencing homelessness.
Transitional Age Youth (TAY) refers to youth ages 18-24, this is the age at which they are transitioning from child-centered systems of care to adult-centered systems of care. We want to protect and nurture that transition. In the foster system, TAY have recently “aged out” of the foster care system, which means that they are no longer able to take advantage of many of the services and resources (such as housing) provided to them as children. As a result, foster TAY are statistically more likely to experience homelessness than the general TAY population.
Returning Citizens are individuals who were recently incarcerated. When they are released from incarceration, many returning citizens do not have an immediate housing place in place and thus are at a higher risk of experiencing homelessness.
INTERIM SUPPORTED HOUSING PROGRAM
MOHF operates seven housing facilities in South Los Angeles with 75 beds. These housing facilities provide what we refer to as “home living”: affordable, clean, safe housing to single adults, male, female and LGBTQ, TAY, and returning citizens experiencing homelessness. We offer single and double occupancy in homes that are fully furnished, with utilities and WiFi included. Clients are also given cleaning supplies, feminine products, transportation service, food services, clothing donations, and new bedding linens. On a case-by-case basis, a small number of beds are set aside for emergency housing, no cost, to a client. Monthly meetings are held in each house to create a sense of community. To show appreciation we celebrate holidays such as Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The MOHF Housing Program does more than provide shelter: it creates a welcoming and safe atmosphere where individuals can be housed with dignity.
CASE MANAGEMENT
-Assistance with securing and tracking eligible county and state benefits;
-Financial education; education and employment supportive services and referrals;
-Linkage to mental health and substance use treatment;
-Accompaniment to medical appointments;
-Probation appearances, when appropriate; and
-Linkage to community-based reentry services and supports.
OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES:
-Education – connecting Participants to educational institutes for job training, literacy, GED completion, etc.
-Employment/Job Training – linkage to employers and job training programs, assistance with career exploration, resume preparation, mock interview, etc.
-Mental Health Counseling – linkage to individual therapy, group therapy, trauma recovery, healthy coping skills, crisis prevention/intervention, eating disorder counseling, intimate partner violence counseling, etc.
-Substance Use Treatment – linkage to treatment centers to provide residential, outpatient, or recovery bridge support for Participants with substance use disorders.