Homestretch is a nonprofit organization that empowers homeless parents with children to move from crisis to long-term stability. Many of these parents become homeless after fleeing an abusive situation, such as domestic violence, human trafficking, or violence in a home country. Others struggle after a medical emergency, family death, or a disability. Most are single mothers. All of these parents are committed to working hard to improve their lives and build a future for their children. At Homestretch, we make a long-term investment in our clients, through a two-year comprehensive program. We start by moving the family into a neighborhood home, freeing the parents from the intense worry of having a safe place for themselves and their children to live. We then learn our clients’ specific circumstances, needs, and goals, and partner with them to create a personalized plan of action. Each client receives substantial individualized attention from our experienced, expert staff. During their time with Homestretch, parents work at a job, pay a percentage of their income for rent, and put money into savings. We help with transportation and child care costs, and educate on a wide-variety of topics, including financial management, credit counseling, vocational skills, parenting, nutrition, and English as a second language. The younger children attend our educational preschool; the older children learn in our after-school program of academics, life skills training, and community service. Homestretch parents and children travel to one location for the majority of these services, saving them time, money, and stress. The Homestretch program works because of its unique combination of support for—and high expectations of—our clients, along with a safe environment and a community of peers. Ninety percent graduate, having gained a new confidence and the tools they need to maintain long-term self-sufficiency. When they leave us, the parents have a job and an affordable home. Their debts are paid off and they have savings in the bank. Their children are safe and secure, with a solid educational base. And, their success continues—two years after graduation, 95% of Homestretch clients are still working and living in their own homes.
