Tabitha Program

This workbook is designed to help men and women who are currently or at risk of becoming chronically homeless. It can also be used for people who are struggling with mental illness, recovering from addiction or those who are at risk of becoming homeless. This book has been used to help hundreds of Chronically homeless people overcome homelessness and maintain self sustaining, independent lives. During the eight week period participants will identify strengths and work to overcome weaknesses. Areas of concentration include past, present and future relationships, goal setting, recognizing stumbling blocks and seeking a better understanding of their own spirituality and where God fits in. Along with a personal history and spiritual assessment participants will also complete an individual program plan. Each person's plan is different and unique to them. Areas of concentration include; Housing, Employment, Mental Health, Physical Health, Education, Family, and Spirituality. Participants will begin working on the plan in week two and continue with the facilitators help throughout the workshop. When complete the individual program plan will be a map to success. Note from Author. Why Tabitha was developed?In 2011 I was over men's shelter in a rescue mission that had roughly 150 guest each night. This included 30 men who had been at the shelter 5 years or more. After some research I realized there were about 2000 un-duplicated guest a year who came through shelter and successfully navigated our services. They typically moved on within 45 days without any additional help. There was a smaller population who couldn't be successful given what we offered in shelters. These guest fell into the chronically homeless category. Meeting with case management typically didn't effect success or failure for these folks. We learned their needs were much greater and often included mental health issues that had often gone undetected or untreated. The 'Tabitha Project' recruited 6 men who had been with us over 5 years. These men were our test group and we met regularly to get their input as well as evaluate their progress. We learned that keeping this group in shelters longer than 45 days was not productive and also hindered the shelter from operating effectively. As a result of this program, hundreds of people who had been chronically homeless for years were provided the tools needed to get permanent housing. The program also gave them the skills needed to maintain housing. This effectively stopped the rate of recidivism.