H.O.M.E., Inc.

Mission Statement: H.O.M.E., Inc. enhances the quality of life of people who have fallen on challenging times by honoring their dignity, attending to such basic needs as food and shelter, supporting their long-term health and development, and fostering a vibrant and mutually supportive community. 

H.O.M.E., Inc. is the primary resource in our area providing assistance with immediate basic needs such as food and shelter. Overseeing the only shelters in our area that, rather than put people back to the street each day, provides opportunities for individuals to work or provide service to the well-being of others. H.O.M.E. staff seek to provide a nurturing community where guests of our shelters, as well as former shelter guests, can engage in all levels of program administration. Everyone has a seat at the table.

Shelter: H.O.M.E. provides emergency shelter with 55 beds on any given night across four locations. Shelter staff work with individuals and families staying in the shelters to identify obstacles in obtaining and sustaining housing. Once a guest/family leaves the shelter, their staff Navigator maintains contact for a period of one year after entry into stable housing to ensure they are successful in retaining residency.  

Diversion: The program aims to prevent homelessness at the front door. In our area, the construction of new housing alone does not keep up with the pace of people falling into homelessness. Diversion increases capacity/resources for direct services, advocates for eviction prevention, and collaborates with other programs/services to prevent homelessness while addressing those most at risk.  

Food Programs: H.O.M.E. rescues food from local grocery stores to distribute four days per week. The program reaches approximately 30 people a day and saves over 300,000 pounds of food waste from being sent to a landfill. The Rescue Line is open to anyone. Food boxes are provided once per month through our food pantry to individuals and families who qualify as low-income. The soup kitchen was remodeled during the countrywide lockdown and has now reopened once a week for lunch. The soup kitchen meal is open to anyone.  

Creative Arts: glass and stitchery, sit among the shelters and provide a creative center for shelter guests and community members. The program offers people who are unhoused or living in poverty, a safe, nurturing space for self-expression and encourages long-term participation as guests develop their voices, display their handcrafts, inspire each other, build healthy community together and make creativity a continuous, restorative part of their lives.   Thrift Store: What looks to be a barn full of cast-off clothing and household goods is really a gallery of furniture, clothing, household utensils, books, and seasonal necessities. For those in the deepest need, clothing and the essentials are provided free and graciously.  

Wood Bank: The firewood bank provides emergency heating wood for families/individuals who need immediate assistance. The wood bank is not intended to provide all the wood fuel needs of a family or individual – just to carry them through the shortage until other resources become available.

Childcare: Daycare is available Monday through Friday. The daycare is licensed for 12 children and participates in subsidy programs. Drop-in access is available for shelter guests.  

Backpacks and Christmas Gifts: Backpacks filled with school supplies are distributed to children living in poverty. Christmas gifts are gathered for all guests of our shelters and low-income children in our community.  Basic needs resources are provided for low-income people such as winter items, hygiene products, and clothing.  

Campership Referral Program: Daycare staff coordinate with summer camp programs designed for children living in poverty. Food boxes are distributed to all children each Friday from June to August. Registration assistance as well as mentoring, is provided.