Homelessness

At Friends of the Family, we provide a low barrier emergency shelter service. A Low barrier shelter service eliminates many of the obstacles that shelters often impose. By doing this we are able to help more people, despite possible obstacles they are currently facing.    We believe in the housing first approach. This means that we want to make sure survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault have a safe space to escape to without worrying about passing

Athena, housing navigator, talks about her role. Describe your role.  As the Housing Navigator My main role is to Connect with landlords and work on our relationships with them to continue to grow our relationships and help house our clients. With this I also work with Case managers to help get their clients into available rentals within the relationships we have built with landlords in the counties we serve.   What led you to become a Housing Navigator?  I was in

FOF’s street outreach program is a brand-new program that started a year ago. We have two Outreach specialists - one in Black Hawk County and another that covers North Central & Northeast Iowa. This program's purpose is to meet individuals and families experiencing homelessness where they are: living in their car, encampments, or on the street.  Why are we doing this? Street outreach work can help us to reach people who we normally would not be able to connect with.

Nicole, outreach & diversion specialist, shares about her day. Describe your role.  I am an in-person access point for people experiencing homelessness or near homelessness. I reach out to them either where they are (bridges, alleys, streets, parking lots) or am available for them to come in the office and seek services. Once contact is made, I can complete an assessment with individuals, getting them on the Coordinated Entry Prioritization List where they can hopefully quickly be pulled

What is PIT Count? Community agencies and stakeholders will survey the community to conduct a Point in Time Count. PIT Count is where agencies & volunteers go out into the community and connect with individuals experiencing homelessness on the last Wednesday of January every year.   Staff and volunteers are tasked with going into the community to count and connect with the number of people experiencing homelessness in our 17-county community: Allamakee, Bremer, Butler, Buchanan, Chickasaw,

Maria, transitions specialist, talks about her role:  Describe your role.  My role at FOF works with employment and mental health. I work to connect staff and clients with mental health resources. I assist clients in breaking down barriers that make finding and maintaining employment difficult. I help with resume writing, job searching, and interview skills. I also run our Safe Workplace Initiative program. I can go into businesses in the community and teach employers how to better

In episode 32, Genie Berst, Outreach and Diversion Specialist with Friends of the Family, visits with Becky to talk about the Friends of the Family community table at the Waterloo Public Library.      

FOR RELEASE ON 3.1.2021 Contact: Friends of the Family, Ben Brustkern   Phone: 319-352-1108, Ext. 207 Email: [email protected] Safely Home & Home Free New program options available for families experiencing housing instability in Northeast/Northcentral Iowa counties.   Effective January 1, 2021 – Safely Home – This Continuum of Care funded program is for survivors of domestic violence,

FOR RELEASE ON 9.1.2020 Contact: Friends of the Family, Ben Brustkern   Phone: 319-352-1108 Email: [email protected] Service Expansion Additional funding increases service area   Effective September 1, 2020 – Additional funding has allowed for the expansion of services in our existing counties and the additional coverage of several new counties. The Federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief,