Someone once wrote that storms can be perfect. So, too, clear skies can have navigational hazards, overshadowing hope.
Providing temporary housing to homeless families during both daylight and nighttime hours through its emergency shelter program, Family Bridge is shelter from the storm for many, no matter how blue the sky is overhead or how bright the night with stars above.
"We place high value on housing first as the secret to families' abilities to accomplish their goals," says Kris Moore, director of the Family Bridge shelter. Family Bridge serves homeless families with dependent children (ages 18 or younger) in their custody. Adults do not need to be married to each other, but they need to identify as a family or household. The program does not discriminate on basis of sexual orientation.
In the Family Bridge program, each family has its own room at the day house and its own room at the hosting congregation. Day house serves as the base of operations and is located at 183 SE 6th, Hillsboro; overnight accommodations are provided by a rotating network of congregations in Hillsboro, Forest Grove and Aloha. All three Washington County family shelters share a waiting list, accessed by phoning 503-640-3263. Families are prioritized according to need and urgency. Currently, except for Kris, Family Bridge is solely volunteer-based, with nearly 500 volunteers.
"If the volunteers didn't participate, our program would end immediately," Kris said. Many of the volunteers have been with the program since its inception. Although the board of directors is now completely "new blood," many of the founders are still active on a weekly basis. Anyone wishing to volunteer can call 503-844-2919 for information. Effective July 1, a volunteers manager will be a second staff person for the program, significantly increasing the program's outreach to better server people. Kris has worked with the agency since June 2003. He coordinates case management and works with each family, and then lets volunteers know the "nonconfidential" aspects so they can encourage and motivate. Confidential information is never divulged.
Clean and sober are absolutes. The program's urine analysis screens for 30 days' use of drugs including methamphetamines, marijuana, cocaine and opium.
Behavior is tied closely to success and completion of program requirements. Families must follow a case plan in order to remain in the program. Breaches of the case plan result in written warnings, accompanied by conferences one-on-one; if patterns continue, then families forfeit their participation in the program. Families can stay up to six weeks, dependent upon their case plan. All family members participate in chores to keep the facility in order. Children's chores may include watering potted plants, picking up toys, etc.
Children must be enrolled in school or Head Start, or in a summer activity sponsored by one of Family Bridge's partner agencies. Adults need to be in a job training program, or employed (with proof of time sheets, pay stubs, etc.), or in some other specific day-time program. Dinner is provided by volunteers from host congregations. Families are responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches. They can prepare meals in the facility kitchen during scheduled hours. Families can do laundry on a scheduled basis at the facility.
Though the Family Bridge outreach addresses, and meets, many needs of homeless families, the program is not able to provide shelter to persons fleeing domestic violence situations or services to persons with warrants for their arrest, or people with history of violent crimes, or those with untreated mental illness. However, Kris mentioned that Family Bridge does work closely with domestic-violence shelters to make immediate referrals. Further, Kris says, "We absolutely refer people to other agencies with differing admission criteria. We don't want anyone to be homeless."
Family Bridge is located one block from a MAX stop on the Hillsboro (blue) line and two blocks from the Hillsboro Transit Center. Street parking is available for cars if the owner has proof of insurance and registration. Kris' response to being questioned about Family Bridge's role in the community validates its value: "Our success rate in families moving into permanent housing has been as high as 90 percent per year." He adds, "Factors such as affordable housing stock, employment, and rental history play key roles in families' ability to move into their own housing."
Family Bridge is gaining ground on assisting homeless families navigate the storm by helping to clear a path of hope to safe haven.