There are as many reasons for homelessness as there are
homeless people. --A formerly homeless Vietnam Veteran
How the Homeless Succeed
The Repairers of the Breach Center serves homeless adults at various levels of readiness for success in the mainstream. First, there are the profoundly marginalized, often hardened “street persons.” These men and women tend to suffer from mental illness or crippling substance abuse. Too many are veterans. Many are unsheltered and sleep outside. For them, a tentative smile, a request for help, a step through the door or one sober day can be a major accomplishment. Once they begin to trust and connect with their fellow Members, they are ready to enter the majority.
The majority of our members grew up in poverty, many of them surviving by the “street economy.” They tend to have few role models, if any, to demonstrate how to navigate the mainstream, workaday world. Nonetheless, the spirit to thrive trumps the need to survive! Our program participants are not passive clients or guests. Rather, they are actively participating "Members" of a community of homeless persons in transition. For the majority, success is often a slow process, with advances and setbacks. It takes patience and perseverance. As Members keep persevering, they encourage and inspire each other, in a demonstration of the very real power of "homeless helping homeless." Friendships are made, attitudes brighten and hope becomes possible.
For most of our Members, success is a gradual process, happening over time. Many become employment-ready for the first time. Some members already work one or two jobs and use our program to get them through while they save for an apartment. A few are from the middle class and are suffering temporary setbacks. Virtually all our Members and Alumni (those who have attained self-sufficiency) are grateful for our refuge and resources, and they remain fairly positive and engaged in rebuilding their lives despite difficult circumstances.
Just as "there are as many reasons for homelessness as there are homeless people," there are also as many unique journeys out of homelessness. We provide them the tools, they build their futures.
The majority of our members grew up in poverty, many of them surviving by the “street economy.” They tend to have few role models, if any, to demonstrate how to navigate the mainstream, workaday world. Nonetheless, the spirit to thrive trumps the need to survive! Our program participants are not passive clients or guests. Rather, they are actively participating "Members" of a community of homeless persons in transition. For the majority, success is often a slow process, with advances and setbacks. It takes patience and perseverance. As Members keep persevering, they encourage and inspire each other, in a demonstration of the very real power of "homeless helping homeless." Friendships are made, attitudes brighten and hope becomes possible.
For most of our Members, success is a gradual process, happening over time. Many become employment-ready for the first time. Some members already work one or two jobs and use our program to get them through while they save for an apartment. A few are from the middle class and are suffering temporary setbacks. Virtually all our Members and Alumni (those who have attained self-sufficiency) are grateful for our refuge and resources, and they remain fairly positive and engaged in rebuilding their lives despite difficult circumstances.
Just as "there are as many reasons for homelessness as there are homeless people," there are also as many unique journeys out of homelessness. We provide them the tools, they build their futures.