In November 2009, our community 
opened a new 24-hour gateway shelter for single men, giving our community two separate 24-hour shelters for the first time. The former Dayton Rehabilitation Center on Gettysburg Avenue was converted into a 24-hour Men’s Gateway Shelter, and the existing St. Vincent Hotel transitioned to a 24-hour Gateway Shelter for single women and families. Homefull provides comprehensive assessments, housing-focused case management, and programming to clients at both of these locations, while St. Vincent de Paul provides all the meals and shelter operations. As we share the same locations, Homefull and St. Vincent de Paul are working closely together to ensure that the needs of our clients are met.
The Gateway Shelters are open 365 days per year, and clients have access to basic human needs including meals, showers, and hygiene products, as well as a place to sleep. Homefull’s case managers work one-on-one with clients with the primary goal of moving them into appropriate housing––and out of the shelter system––as quickly as possible.
Clients meet with Homefull’s professional case managers on a regularly scheduled basis or as needed to obtain assistance working toward their individualized goals. Case managers help clients set goals, connect with other community resources, conduct housing searches, and monitor clients’ progress in reaching goals. Federally-funded collaborative programs such as Opening Doors for the Homeless are also available through case management. This program brings numerous community agencies together in order to provide a more comprehensive array of services, as well as more communication between agencies in regard to the client’s progress.
A phone number that goes to an anonymous voicemail box is provided so clients can receive messages from prospective landlords, employers, doctors, friends and family in a confidential manner. (The message in no way discloses where or whom the caller is contacting.) These messages are taken from the voicemail and posted on a message board. Clients are also able to receive postal mail at the shelters.
Homefull provides educational classes for our clients, such as Basic Life Skills, Housing (before, during and after), Employability, Budgeting, and Community Resources. These classes are offered on a rotating schedule. Through its community partnerships with other organizations, Homefull is able to offer additional services such as specialized employment, veterans assistance, legal assistance, and credit counseling.