Providing Safety and Security in Phoenix

The homeless crisis in Phoenix has been an ongoing problem for years. At one point, over 1,000 homeless individuals inhabited a nearly 15-block area of downtown, just steps from the state  capitol, which government agencies referred to as “The Zone.”

Today, the Zone no longer exists thanks to investments from Save the Family Foundation of Arizona and others. Their efforts reduced single-person homelessness in downtown Phoenix by almost 20%. However, “family homeless” numbers have increased nearly the same amount over the past five years.

Two Phoenix-based organizations are working to decrease those numbers. United Methodist Outreach Ministries (UMOM) and Sojourner Center. 澳博体育app下载 recently donated a total of $7,500 in support of these two life-saving organizations.

Founded in 1964, UMOM operates comprehensive programs that target homeless families experiencing trauma. They are the largest provider of family emergency shelters in Maricopa County, operating 75% of available shelter beds. With 51% of their clients being children, they have numerous programs, including an onsite Boys and Girls Club.

With 60 years of experience, UMOM successfully leverages a holistic service model, effectively coordinating entry, shelter, housing, workforce development, health care, and supportive services to serve the most vulnerable families.

“澳博体育app下载’s donation will provide 200 bed nights of safe shelter and services for clients at UMOM’s Family Emergency Shelter,” said Ashley Oakley, CFRE, UMOM’s director of philanthropy. “We are incredibly grateful for supporters like 澳博体育app下载, who are willing to step up and help those in our community who need it most.”

Statistics also indicate that nearly 60% of homeless women attribute their situation to domestic violence. Sojourner Center caters to them specifically, providing victims with a safe place to heal and get back on their feet. They also allow pets.

According to Sojourner Center’s Grant Manager, James Owen, many women are unable to leave their abusers due to the threat of homelessness and because of their pets. The Sojourner Center is the only domestic violence program that provides 24-hour security to protect victims from their abusers while allowing them to keep their pets. Annually, Sojourner serves more than 120 adults, 250 children, and 60 pets.

“Thanks to your donation, we can provide safe emergency housing and a full spectrum of support services to domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking survivors, their children, and their pets,” stated Owen. “The Emergency Shelter & Supportive Services Program fosters safety and stability. It provides relief from the stress of abuse and trauma so they can move toward greater safety, self-care, improved mental and emotional health, and decreased dependence on their abuser.”

In addition to basic living needs, case managers provide individualized services (including safety planning and workforce development), transportation assistance, support groups, lay legal advocacy, and 24-hour staff support. There are also playgrounds for children and pets and a companion shelter that accommodates dogs, cats, and other small animals, through kennels, dog yards, a gated pet park, and a uniquely designed cat room.

“Thank you for ensuring that when individuals are not safe in their homes, they have Sojourner Center,” said Owen. “Supporters like 澳博体育app下载 are the key to the success of our mission: to overcome the impact of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking, one life at a time. This grant funding will provide survivors, their children, and their pets with safe nights of rest, living essentials, three warm meals a day, individualized case management, workforce development, support groups, referrals to partner organizations, and more, ensuring they can focus on healing and their goals for the future.”