Agencies that Work with the Homeless

CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS
813 South Michigan Street South Bend, IN 46601
Phone: (574) 282-8700

MISSION:
The Mission of the Center is to provide an hospitable environment where homeless persons can find respect and dignity as well as comprehensive and integrated services to address their particular set of needs. The objective is to involve widespread community support in this endeavor, ad through volunteerism to bring together disparate groups n our society so that each can discover the dignity, worth and God-given potential of the other.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:
*Shelter and Meals - can serve up to 150 individuals; living quarters for men, women, families
*Counseling: Mental Health - four staff persons from Madison Center provide counseling and case management services for guests suffering from mental illness; services include a drop-in center, testing, group therapy, monitoring medications, and referrals. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
*Project Homecoming - primary medical and dental care for the homeless provided by Indiana Health Centers
Hours: 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday and Wednesday; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday
*New Passages- intensive out-patient program sponsored by Madison Center; four staff persons offer group and individual treatment for alcohol and other drug addictions while concurrently treating mental health disorders.
*Legal Aid - Provided by Notre Dame Law School; supervised legal counsel advice to homeless persons
Hours: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday
*Education: GED - literacy, basic skills, adult education, life skills and preschool programs provided by South Bend School corporation
*Family and Children's Program - Kids Club, tutoring, mentoring program for families, mothers' support group; Montessori program for pre-schoolers.
*Employment Training - job counseling, training, resume writing, referrals provided by Workforce Development Services and Goodwill Industries
*Social Security - the Department of Social Security Administration provides outreach service on a weekly basis, assisting persons to register and access various government benefits
*AIDS related Services - AIDS testing, counseling, and education sessions are provided by AIDS Ministries/AIDS assist for homeless and at-risk individuals
*Veterans Administration - counseling provided for vets on a bi-weekly basis

VOLUNTEERS:
Volunteers can work in many areas in the Center. They can manage the front desk, help with the serving of meals, work with the children and families and tutors and friends, work with the facilities at the Center or help with administrative and organizational tasks. Hours Expected Of Volunteers: 2-8 hours per week depending on task

Training Provided: 2 hour orientation including a presentation on the Center, speakers (Center guests, current volunteers), volunteer application, and a tour of the Center. Accepted applicants then receive one or two training shifts.

Work study positions are available for eligible students. Contact the Financial Aid Office for information or their website for job descriptions.

HOPE MINISTRIES
532 South Michigan Street
(mailing address)
P.O. Box 4488
South Bend, IN 46634-4488
Phone: (574) 288-4842

BACKGROUND: Hope Rescue Mission was started over twenty-five years ago to serve the destitute and homeless people of South Bend. It is a Christian service operated cooperatively by a group of Christian Churches in the community.

MISSION: Hope Rescue Mission is an independent rescue ministry of the Christian community working primarily with homeless and low-income persons by providing shelter, meals, casework, and spiritual guidance.

PROGRAMS OFFERED:

*Emergency Shelter
- hot meals, beds, showers, and limited counseling for three days per calendar month to homeless men, women, and families
*Extended Services
- hot meals, beds, showers, counseling, extensive casework, work teams, and Bible studies for homeless men, women, and families working towards resettlement

VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed at Hope to help serve meals, assist with the maintenance of the facility, visit residents on a one-to-one basis. Gifts of food and clothing are welcome.