The general public tends to think of the homeless as the unkempt man on the street corner holding up a sign. In reality, the largest growing segment of homeless in America today are women and children and the signs of the “invisible homeless” are much harder to see. Divorced, abandoned or suddenly single mothers struggle to provide shelter, food and basic needs for their children. For others, homelessness is only a lost job or unexpected health crisis away. Studies show there are 150 families living in our community at any given time who do not have a home. They live with relatives, friends or in cars. They are days away from being turned back out onto the streets.

The goal of Compassion Ministries is to reintegrate homeless individuals and families as well as those on the verge of homelessness into permanent housing and employment. Upon acceptance into the program, residents work with the Case Manager to design a plan of action for the duration of their stay which is usually six months. Areas outlined in the plan address housing needs, employment, family needs (child care, parenting courses, AA/NA counseling, family/child counseling, etc.), medical needs, employment needs and personal goals. The plans are resident centered, with staff providing necessary support. Target dates are set as a guide for completion of the plans and are evaluated every 30 days to determine progress and to make adjustments as necessary. The Case Manager reviews the Action Plan monthly to determine if all needs are being met.

The first week in the program, residents are required to start “Job Search”. This includes attending TWC workshops to acquire and/or refine job skills and submitting five applications and/or interviews per day until full time employment is obtained. Residents are required to find work within 30 days of entering the program. Once they are employed, they pay 15% of their net earnings for rent and 15% of their net earnings are retained in a savings account for them. Therefore, when they graduate from the CM program, they have deposits for utilities and housing.

Life skills classes are conducted on a weekly basis and cover issues such as time management, nutrition, anger management, personality differences, etc. Subjects taught help the residents deal more effectively with their interpersonal skills so they can be successful at work and at home.

Another integral part of the program is our volunteer Co-Partners. Co-Partners are volunteers from the community who serve in pairs and meet with two residents every Thursday night for 12 weeks. They discuss budget or employment skills using curriculum adapted from a successful program in Dallas. Our program started in July 2000 with eight Co-Partners and has now grown to 28.

The philosophy of the administrator and Board of Directors of Compassion Ministries is that, since there are finite housing services in Waco, their services should be committed to the residents who are most committed to being able to live independently. Consequently, drug and alcohol use are not tolerated during their stay at Compassion Ministries. Residents must be able to pass a drug/alcohol screen to be admitted and random drug tests are performed during their stay.

Compassion Ministries makes referrals to the Waco Housing Authority, and assists the residents to make application for housing. Housing needs are assessed at intake. If the need is for public housing, the resident is referred to the Housing Authority for intake and assessment. The Case Manager then assists with completion of the application.

Those who do not qualify for public housing are linked to affordable housing in the private market. They receive a listing of reasonable apartments that serve the low-income sector from the Case Manager by the end of their first 30 days. Compassion Ministries assists residents to access this housing by:

(a) Teaching the budgeting process and its value in the Co-Partner program so they can (a) save money for first and last month’s rent and deposits on permanent housing and (b) have the ability to budget for monthly rent payments and thereby maintain their housing.

(b) Conducting a credit history report on each resident to identify problems. Credit problems can be a barrier to securing housing in the private market. After targeting past due utility bills, both Case Managers and Co-Partners work with the resident to work out a repayment plan on other outstanding debts.

(c) Helping residents get a job so they have enough money to pay for housing. Co-Partners and Case Management staff work with the resident to acquire the job skills necessary to obtain and maintain a job, rather than simply getting and keeping a low-paying, low-skills job.

A successful graduate is one who leaves Compassion Ministries with full-time employment, permanent housing, and the skills necessary to maintain their self sufficiency. When a resident successfully completes the program, as determined by the Executive Director, they enter after care for a six-month period. Case Managers meet with them on a monthly basis to determine if there are any special needs and/or referrals necessary to help them maintain their independence. In addition, our community volunteer group known as Compassionate Friends act as mentors or advocates for them during this time. Our programs of case management, job search and Co-Partners are necessary for a resident to not only make a life change, but be able to sustain that change and not be “re-cycled” through the system.

Compassion Ministries’ Hope House
Compassion Ministries dedicated Hope House in June of 2002. Hope House is a 14,750 square foot transitional housing facility for women, children and families. This increased their capacity from 26 to 64 individuals.

Our congregation sponsored Unit 10, one of the apartments which will be used for single women or women with children. Susan Palmer was responsible for buying all the pots, pans, dishes, glasses, bed linens, towels, curtains, and decorations for the unit. She did such a wonderful job that Compassion staff members showed our unit to most of the people who dropped by for a tour before the facility was occupied.

Funds for this project came from the money in the 2002 budget that was to be sent to Samaritan Counseling Center, which no longer exists.