One of the great things about our community here in Michigan City, La Porte County, and Northwest Indiana is how we’ve really come together to help disadvantaged populations.
In fact, we have a strong network of organizations that offer various forms of support for our homeless guests, including housing, food assistance, counseling, health services, GED classes, job training and more.
We understand that many people don’t know about these resources in our community. That’s why we want to spotlight the important work they do in this blog post that shares 10 local resources for the homeless.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Glalatians 6:2)
10 Resources for the Homeless
Here are some of the main organizations Interfaith Community PADS partners with as we help homeless guests at our shelter.
AK Smith Career Center
Those guests looking to earn their GED or a career skill are sent to AK Smith Career Center for classes. We encourage our guests to use their time with us to pursue unmet educational goals with the support of AK Smith.
Citizens Concerned for the Homeless
Sandcastle Shelter, Keys to Hope, and Grace Learning Center are three of the entities we serve alongside as a part of Citizens Concerned for the Homeless. Both shelters, Interfaith Community PADS and Sandcastle, refer guests to one another so that the right fit occurs. Shelter guests go to Keys to Hope daily for case management and to use showers and laundry facilities. Grace Learning Center is a place where we refer guests who would benefit from classes and programs that help increase resources and abilities.
Franciscan Health and Healthlinc
Franciscan Health and Healthlinc partner with Interfaith Community PADS in a variety of ways. Many guests with a medical need are referred to one of these partners. When needed, they also provide educational services to Interfaith Community PADS guests.
Goodwill of Northwest Indiana
Those guests who are able to work, but may have barriers to employment due to incarceration or criminal backgrounds are referred to Goodwill of Northwest Indiana for their Second Chance Program. Another program Interfaith refers guests to is Senior Employment Services which gives assistance to senior citizens looking to become gainfully employed.
Housing Opportunities
Interfaith Community PADS works with Housing Opportunities to identify guests who have or will receive income in order to be connected to the Rapid Rehousing Program that quickly gets homeless individuals back into a home with temporary rental assistance. Other guests are identified for Permanent Supportive Housing which is for individuals with a disability.
Michigan City Social Security Office
The Michigan City Social Security Office works with guests to help them get identification paperwork started, especially for those who have lost everything. Their help to our guests is instrumental in making sure they receive the proper government support when it comes to retirement, SSI, Medicare, and disability benefits.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Michigan City Corps and Community Center provides programming opportunities for guests that allow them to increase resources and skills that will benefit them as they move out of the shelter and into permanent housing. They work with Interfaith Community PADS to provide individual and group resources to guests as needed.
Stepping Stone Shelter
Much like Sandcastle Shetler, we work with Stepping Stone Shelter by making referrals to one another so that guests get plugged into the right programs and resources that work best for them. We refer victims of domestic violence to Stepping Stone Shelter as they specialize in assisting those who need care in that way.
Swanson Center
Guests impacted by mental health and addiction issues meet with certified counselors in order to become stable enough to live independently. Some guests travel to the Swanson Center for their care. Often the PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) program, which offers support for homeless individuals impacted with a serious mental illness and/or addictions, meets with our guests at the shelter in order to create plans of action for the week.
Resources for the Homeless
The organizations on this list prove an important point about helping the homeless- it takes our entire community to do the work!
Please check out these awesome resources for the homeless, and join us in supporting their important work in our community.
