Addressing the Causes of Homelessness
Drug addiction and mental illness are the primary causes of chronic homelessness. Volunteers of America’s Community Support Services/On-site Rehabilitation Program combats this problem by reaching out to mentally-ill and chemically-dependent homeless men in New York City. The program has been on-site at the Charles H. Gay Shelter Care Center for Men on Ward’s Island since 1984, serving the mentally-ill men residing there.
Program Services
Community Support Services provides mentally-ill and chemically-dependent homeless men with the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to remain stable and substance free. The program helps clients address their needs realistically by identifying available community resources. Clients work toward an independent life with the help of case management, skills training, educational and support groups and referral services.
Program services also include:
- A work-incentive program
- Opportunities to assist in program operations as a case aide
- Money management training
- Medication monitoring.
Individualized Services
When a client enrolls in the Community Support Services Program, he works one-on-one with a case manager. Together they assess the client’s personal needs and develop a service plan with the goal of becoming substance free and securing permanent housing. Each person is evaluated for placement based on a number of factors, including how long he has been homeless, his personal motivation, level of independence, ability to stay drug-free and the availability of housing.
Lasting Solutions
Volunteers of America has developed a continuum of care, from street outreach services to permanent housing, designed to adequately prepare clients to address the causes of their homelessness and make the transition from living on the streets to obtaining the services needed to live independently. Volunteers of America is the largest provider of homeless services in the region, serving more than 26,000 homeless individuals each year.
Rebuilding Lives Today, Strengthening Communities for Tomorrow
Volunteers of America: Serving People and Communities
Volunteers of America is dedicated to restoring hope, dignity and self-reliance to individuals and families in crisis or distress. One of the largest non-profit organizations in the Greater New York area, the agency helps those in need while creating opportunities for people to serve others.
Founded in 1896, Volunteers of America is a recognized leader in providing innovative and dynamic services:
- Sheltering, housing and reaching out to homeless individuals and families
- Teaching skills to preschool children with special needs
- Rescuing troubled youth
- Delivering caring and compassionate support to people living with
- AIDS and their families
- Providing treatment and recovery services to substance abusers and alcoholics
- Preparing offenders to become productive community members
- Helping adults with developmental disabilities realize their full potential.
Working with individuals and organizations in our communities, Volunteers of America brings hope and the promise of a better future to thousands of people each year.
For more information about Volunteers of America's Community Support Services, please call (212) 369-8900, ext. 370 att: Carmen Keaton.
Community Support Services
One Keener Building
Wards Island, NY 10035
This program is funded by the New York City Department of Mental Health.
