History of Fresh Start Home

In 1991, community leaders began meeting to discuss the lack of services to single homeless women who did not have children in their custody. As a result of these meetings, Fresh Start Home began operation in March 1992. During the program’s years of service to women, logistics have altered, leadership has evolved, financial support has ebbed and flowed, and the demand for services continues to exceed the supply. Fresh Start Home was designed following the guidelines of a Canadian transitional housing in Calgary. The name “Fresh Start” came to mind when someone spoke of giving women a “fresh start in life”. To address the mission, Fresh Start Home offers a safe, structured, alcohol and drug free environment for women invested in attaining self-sufficiency. Fresh Start Home serves homeless women who do not have children in their custody. Services are offered to women ages 19 years and older. With a stay of up to one year, women are able to create an Individualized Goal Plan and receive the supportive services necessary to implement their program and reduce the barriers that precede homelessness.

The organization is synonymous with the programs offered. Transitional housing and supportive services are the entryway for women to reclaim self-sufficiency and lessen barriers to success. The organization’s primary method of service delivery is transitional housing. Upon intake, women are encouraged to commit to a two-month stay. While housed, women are matched with a team member based on the team member’s area of expertise. During the intake process, each potential resident completes an Individualized Goal Plan. This plan is implemented by the resident and supported by their team. As a part of programming, residents are to donate between four to ten hours of service to a community-based organization each week, attend educational workshops at the house, and perform household responsibilities. Additional programming may include: supervised child visits, attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous, participation in domestic violence support groups, individual counseling, alcohol or other drug treatment/relapse prevention, compliance with the justice system, seeking and maintaining employment, medication monitoring, and attaining medical care.

An outreach position was created in 1999. This addition has permitted Fresh Start Home the opportunity to continue serving a portion of women after successful departure. The Wellness & Enrichment Coordinator conducts regular home visits with former residents and attends the weekly HUD Homeless Committee meeting.