So what exactly does the shelter do?

Here at AAHS, most of our posts are about community involvement and donations, but we want to make sure you know what our programs actually do for the homeless community. So here it is!

Almost Home

Almost Home is a transitional housing program for homeless women and their children.

The Transitional Shelter Program seeks to decrease barriers to housing stability by providing shelter and case management services to eligible homeless families.

Eligible families receive shelter for up to 24 months while seeking and maintaining employment, education, and training. The Transitional Shelter Program Director works with the family to determine short- and long-term goals that will lead to financial independence.

In 2012 the Almost Home Program provided housing for 20 mothers and 41 children.

How you can help: Be a support system for homeless families.

Volunteer. Many of our families became homeless due to a lack of a community or family support system. Volunteering at AAHS provides you with an opportunity to be that support system for our mothers and their children.

Donate. Your support allows us to keep the lights on, pay utility bills, and purchase food for our families.

Connect. Use the Athens Area Homeless Shelter's online community to inform your social networks about our programs and how you are plugging in.

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Going Home

The Going Home rapid rehousing program provides case management support, rental, and utility assistance to families in Athens that are ready for permanent housing.

Going Home provides scaled support over the course of the program, with the clients gradually increasing their own level of responsibility until they are fully independent.

As always, our goal at the shelter is to look below the surface at root issues, working toward sustainable solutions.  Going Home is a huge stride forward in this direction, and we need the community's support more than ever to continue supporting families as they strive for independence.  AAHS is excited to have launched this program in September of 2012.

In 2012, the Going Home Program provided assistance to move 9 families in to permanent, sustainable housing.

How you can help: Help us furnish apartments.

Donate. While the shelter provides financial assistance to move in to apartments, clients have needs such as beds, kitchen supplies, linens and towels, and household toiletries when they move.

Transportation. Clients often are unable to move their belongings into housing without assistance from the community. If you have a truck or large vehicle, be on our call list for transportation needs.

Connect. Use the Athens Area Homeless Shelter's online community to inform your social networks about our programs and how you are plugging in

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JobTREC: Job Training, Referral, Education, Case Management

The JobTREC program seeks to decrease barriers to housing stability by providing case management services to eligible homeless individuals. Our clients are required to participate in a comprehensive intake process. Once the intake process is completed, our case managers work closely with each client to evaluate specific needs and to develop short- and long-term goals.

Did you know?

Homeless job seekers in Athens are also mothers and fathers; many are veterans; most are educated and desire to continue their educations. While JobTREC clients can come from different life experiences and although they face homelessness for a variety of reasons, they all have one thing in common: they want to work.

• 64% of low-income and homeless families in Athens have at least one adult in the workforce.
• 50% of hours worked at a full-time job at minimum wage will be devoted to pay rent.
• 100% of hours worked at a part-time job at minimum wage will be devoted to pay rent.

In 2012 the JobTREC program provided comprehensive case management services to over 180 individuals in the Athens Community.

How you can help: Make Athens Work.

JobTREC staff provide a number of critical services to our clients. With your support, we can do so much more.

Job Training. Partner with us to provide our clients with job training opportunities. Host a workshop and share your expertise with us. Our clients are eager to learn valuable job skills.

Interview Skills Training. Partner with us to provide our clients with mock interview opportunities. What do you look for in a potential employee? what are the best questions to ask during an interview in your profession? You and your staff can teach our clients a wealth of knowledge in even one short mock interview setting.

Job Placement. Our clients are ready to learn how to become a part of your company. Let us know what you are looking for in a potential employee. We can refer clients to you who are suited for employment within your organization.