From homeless to home: Building a path; The Resource Room as part of emergency shelter.
Item
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Title
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From homeless to home: Building a path; The Resource Room as part of emergency shelter.
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Identifier
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AAI9029928
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identifier
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9029928
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Creator
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Deats, Cathy Leigh.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Rebecca Donovan
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Date
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1990
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Social Work | Sociology, Public and Social Welfare
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Abstract
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Homelessness is a serious and growing social problem in the United States today. Homelessness is no longer an urban phenomenon, but has reached into and is affecting suburban areas as well. However, suburban communities and governments are reluctant to recognize or admit this problem.;The program described herein addresses the needs of the homeless population in a suburban area of New Jersey. The development of the Resource Room in Cornerstone House, a twenty-two bed emergency shelter for individuals and families, is traced in three main categories. First, the organizational context is discussed. This study follows the formation of a coalition to respond to homelessness from its first gathering to the opening and first six months of operation of the emergency shelter with comprehensive case management resources. Second, a description of the community in which the shelter is located is given, followed by a discussion of the varied ways the Coalition tried to establish a shelter and the resistance and encouragement encountered along the way. Third, a thorough program description is included in order to guide others in shelter program development in suburban areas.;Goals of the program are (1) Clients will acquire a non-temporary living arrangement and (2) Clients will have an improved sense of self-worth. Findings included successful placement in 54% of the cases and improved ISE scores in 57% of the cases. Other findings include: one-third of clients were employed and 82% of admissions had significant symptoms of depression.;Recommendations include: (1) Emergency shelter should be measured in weeks rather than months; (2) adequate and affordable housing must be provided to alleviate the problem of homelessness; (3) Mental health assistance should be available for homeless persons.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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D.S.W.
