Fauquier Family Shelter Services (FFSS) is a non-profit organization providing emergency shelter (The Haven) and transitional housing (Vint Hill) to needy families and individuals. Since 1987 we have been meeting the needs of the homeless in our community.
The Haven is a 26-bed facility, which provides 24-hour supervision, case management for families and children, housing counseling, budgeting, and life skill improvement. During this past year Fauquier Family Shelter Services, through one of our residential programs and/or supporting housing services assisted 697 persons. The majority of families assisted by the Haven are working class families who have difficulty finding affordable housing. Households leaving The Haven for long-term housing increased to 31% from 29% in the prior year. Recently we celebrated the grand opening of The Haven Playground where children can play safely. Over 100 children received support services from the Child Services Coordinator. These services include parenting, study skills & food nutrition.
The Vint Hill Transitional Housing Program is an intense personal resource management and support program structured to help participants become financially, economically and vocationally self-sufficient. The program assists motivated participants in their transition from homelessness to long term, stable housing over a two-year time frame. It helps participants establish personal savings, learn basic life skills and prepare for stable housing. The program has a combination of 11 furnished or unfurnished 3-bedrom townhouses. Each participant takes classes on site pertaining to household budgeting, computers skills, life skills, including Time Management, Goal Setting, etc. and pre-homeownership education. Families are required to establish mandatory savings and work closely with their budgets to advance in the program. Both professional and non-professional volunteers lend support in their areas of expertise because the program relies heavily on the entire community being involved. The Vint Hill Transitional Housing Program is ever evolving and needs donations to help expand in providing training and resources. We need your financial support now!
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Published: Winter 2003