For too many Tulare County residents, a place to call home is only a dream. CSET believes every person should have a safe haven and our Continuum of Care program helps make that dream a reality.
HOMEWARD BOUND
The Continuum of Care (CoC) program is designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. The CoC Program, formerly known as the Supportive Housing Program, helps develop and provide housing and related supportive services for people moving from homelessness to independent, supportive living.
The CoC program aims to assist individuals who are sleeping in places not meant for human habitation such as cars, parks, sidewalks and abandoned buildings, or those sleeping in an emergency shelter as a primary nighttime residence. Program funds help homeless people live in a stable place, increase their skills and income, and gain more control over the decisions that affect their lives.
For more information about the program and/or how to join the waiting list, please contact Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance at (559) 738-8733.
SUCCESS STORY: A SECOND CHANCE AT A BETTER LIFE
Sandra* hadn’t lived in a stable home for several years. CSET’s records indicate that Sandra had received assistance related to homelessness since 2010. Always moving from house to house, she eventually found herself sleeping in cars, abandoned buildings and even a storage unit. Living in this distressed state had an immense effect on Sandra’s emotional and behavioral state. Day after day of searching for a place to rest did not allow her time to focus on her health and education. Survival became the only thing on her mind.
Enter the Permanent Supportive Housing program. In April 2015, Sandra was accepted into the program and began to get her life back on track. With her housing needs met, Sandra was able to turn her focus to her health and made the positive choice to reach out to the Tulare County Mental Health Department for assistance. Sandra began to receive beneficial mental health services while searching for other available resources within the community that would help her succeed.
One such resource was provided by the California Department of Rehabilitation which provided Sandra with job training assistance through the Visalia Adult School. With a safe roof over her head and a new state of mind, Sandra was able to remain committed to her education. She has earned two Certificates of Completion for Administrative Medical Assistant and Medical Terminology. In the next few months, Sandra will also complete the Medical Assistant program, solidifying her road to a successful career in the medical field.
Sandra is goal-oriented and her pregnancy certainly has played a role in helping her stay determined to succeed. Her little girl, due later this year, has given Sandra renewed motivation to keep her life on track and make good use of the housing provided through the Permanent Supportive Housing program. Sandra says that without housing programs like this one, she would not have been able to achieve so much. Soon, she will complete school, secure a job and eventually become self-sufficient. At that point, Sandra will leave the housing program and make room for another individual to have the same opportunity she has been fortunate enough to have.
Sandra’s accomplishments are proof of the successful administration of the Permanent Supportive Housing program. CSET provided Sandra with the support and resources she needed to reach her full potential. Her success is our success and we are proud to be a part of Sandra’s journey.
*Name has been changed to ensure client confidentiality.