The Interfaith Homeless Network held a groundbreaking on Wednesday for a new family day care center at the old Farmers Market.
Children, family members, city of Chattanooga officials and IHN volunteers, staff and board members gathered to break ground for the center, described as "a place where homeless families will receive help with transportation, counseling and support services to assist them in their transition to stable housing and self-sufficiency."
Scheduled to be completed spring 2009, the family day center is the culmination of a long-time dream and a long-term fundraising project for Mary Ellen Galloway, IHN executive director, her volunteers, staff members and board, it was stated.
“We are building a dream for IHN and ending homelessness one family at a time,” said Ms. Galloway. “From the inside-out, this day center for homeless families will be a place where children play, homework happens and small children nap. But what you might not see is the groundwork for improving lives.”
Services offered at the day center will include:
· Read Aloud Chattanooga
· Chattanooga Area Food Bank’s Kids Café
· Money management, budgeting, and parenting classes
· Job training classes
· Employment assistance
· READ Chattanooga’s Educational Assessment and GED Program
· Social service agency meeting space
Counseling and Social Work internships will be available with students from area colleges and universities.
This will be "a place humming with positive, uplifting activities to address the special needs of homeless families with children," Ms. Galloway said.
“National statistics show that homeless families comprise the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population nationwide,” said Mayor Ron Littlefield. “In Chattanooga homeless families make up 40 percent of the homeless population, and one in four is a child. The mission of the Interfaith Homeless Network is to keep families together and help them find homes.”
Through IHN, homeless families find temporary homes at churches and synagogues that open their doors to provide volunteer support, meals, overnight lodging and hospitality while guest families search for employment and housing. There are more than 45 churches and synagogues that support homeless families 365 nights a year.
IHN provides support services.
IHN families receive help with healthcare, transportation, counseling, supportive services and links to community resources to assist them in their transition to stable housing and self-sufficiency.
While the parents address the issues and solutions to rebuild their life, the children are transported to school or childcare.
More than 1,500 homeless people, including 900 children in 500 families, have been served since IHN opened its doors in 1998.
IHN provides stable housing.
With the goal of rapid re-housing, IHN families are assisted in their housing search and linked to community housing resources. Available, affordable housing, employment, support services and follow-up end family homelessness.
IHN provides successful reintegration into the community - follow-up & mentoring. After families transition to stable housing, they continue to receive follow-up services and in-home visits.
Many friendships and mentoring relationships grow because volunteers from churches and synagogues want to stay connected with their guest families and help them be stable and successful members of the community, it was stated.