Greater Orange Community Development Corporation, Inc. (G.O.C.D.C.) is centrally located in the town of Orange. The administrative office is located at 454 N. Madison Rd. which also houses the emergency shelter, Sheltering Arms. G.O.C.D.C. also operates Rising Son Transitional Apartments, located at 197 East Main St. Sheltering Arms and Rising Son provides a broad spectrum of supportive services to meet the immediate physical needs of our clients. G.O.C.D.C. has been a United Way Agency since its initial charter was established when United Way supported our efforts with a Start-up Grant in 1997 and continued with regular allocations after our official opening of the shelter October 12, 1998.
Sheltering Arms has 34 beds for women and children and 15 beds for men. Rising Son has three apartments and one resident manager’s apartment with 13 beds for clients. The normal length of stay for Sheltering Arms is 45 days unless the shelter is near capacity in which case local applicants are given preference over those from other areas. The clients at Rising Son sign 6 month contracts with possible extensions up to 2 years based on cooperation and progress with the program.
The agency partners with many other service providers in a joint effort to meet the needs of our clients. Clients are given assistance with employment and housing searches in addition to advocacy with legal and disability issues. Clients are provided with free dental care, eyeglasses, and limited prescription drug medications. Our Children’s Coordinator provides our Children Clients with a multitude of services designed to meet their needs as well as make their stay with us a good memory. The children make crafts, take field trips to museums, go to movies as well as learn through educational programs such as Math Rabbit. Clients with exceptional performances who are in need of transportation are often provided vehicles as donations are available.
G.O.C.D.C. has served over 1500 clients since it’s inception with a 60% rate of successful placement in transitional or permanent housing.