Interfaith Works' Homeless Services provide shelter, critical case management and therapeutic programs for homeless adults in Montgomery County, MD through the following programs:

SHELTERS

Wilkins Avenue Women's Assessment Center (Sophia House and Community Based Shelter)

Wilkins Avenue Women's Assessment Center (WAWAC) provides year-long emergency shelter to adult homeless women. In addition to providing the basic needs such as shelter, food, and clothing, this 65-bed facility provides the women a safe environment to address their barriers to housing and self-sufficiency. Because of our generous volunteers, we provide breakfast and dinner 365 days a year. Each resident is paired with a Case Manager. Together they create service agreements which are designed to facilitate recovery, stability, and independence. The residents are referred to Vocational Services, therapeutic services, and are encouraged to gain and increase income. Residents must be referred by other homeless service providers, such as the Crisis Center, rehabilitation programs, housing programs, and day programs.

Carroll House

Carroll House provides transitional housing in a shelter environment for homeless men. This 32-bed facility offers housing, case management and counseling to help residents gain independent living skills. The shelter also provides breakfast and dinner for the men as well as access to kitchen and laundry facilities. IW helps prepare the men to transition out of the shelter environment by providing case management, vocational counseling, job training, and a range of therapies. Staff also identify appropriate services for residents with disabilities or other issues.

Volunteers provide ALL the meals at these three shelters, over 21,000 dinners each year. Every night, holidays included, volunteers join with residents to serve food and friendship. Congregations, corporate teams, scouts, students, seniors and families provide this special sustenance for their neighbors in need. More than food is served with the knowledge that the community cares is nourishment in itself for residents of these shelters.


DAY PROGRAMS

Community Vision

Walking through the doors of Community Vision is the first step homeless clients take to recover from unstable lives. Located at Progress Place, just off Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring, Community Vision provides case management, job training, vocational services, substance abuse programs, recreational and therapeutic groups. The case management team concentrates on full clinical assessments and referrals for housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment. Community Vision is a day program however provides emergency night shelter during the winter. Other services include meals, laundry, showers and transportation.

Interfaith Works' Vocational Services Program, primarily housed at Community Vision, prepares clients for employment by offering job readiness classes, skills assessment, training in food service, computer skills and financial literacy, job placement, and support in the workplace when needed. Volunteer mentors meet with clients on a regular basis to help them achieve their goals. In addition, volunteers have many other opportunities to assist the Vocational Services team. Interfaith Works has partnered with Art for the People, a local nonprofit that brings visual arts to under-served populations. Their weekly art therapy class at Community Vision acts as a catalyst for change in many clients.

Community Vision February 2012 Calendar

Community Vision Course & Workshop Descriptions