WOODGREEN

Introduction and mandate: BRIANNE

Who and how they access the resources and Barriers: LILLIAN Services offered, and how its financially supported: SHARON

How support is tapered off and decided: NILJEN

Outreach/follow up: KAITLIN

Success percentage/stories: BRIANNE Conclusion: SHARON AND KAITLIN

SHARON

WOODGREEN A Multi-service agency that responded to the study conducted by United Way that discovered there are many single mothers that live in shelters with their children which led to the launching of Homeward Bound (2004)
Primary

objective is to help homeless women and their children break free from the cycle of poverty (www.cmhc.ca)
BRIANNE

 Help

single mothers move from poverty and homelessness to successful careers and self sufficiency.
traininglife skills, financial literacy, computer, English courses, math equivalence courses and attend college at fully accredited institution

Provides

 Who

is eligible for admission?

Women must be/have: 19 yrs/older Risk and/or history of homelessness One referral (from shelter, clergy, social program etc.) Canadian citizen, landed immigrant, or convention refugee At least one child under 17 living with her High school diploma preferred Capable or reaching college-level academics within 6-8 months
LILLIAN

6-week Admission Process: Personal interview(s) Academic assessments in math, writing, and reading Emotional intelligence assessment Criminal background/ Police check Credit check

Through out the four -year program: Affordable housing

Subsidized child care After school programs for children and youth Free post-secondary education (2 years)
SHARON

FOUR PHASES Phase 1: program start Life skills Computer skills Financial literacy training Academic upgrading program for college entrance

Phase

2: community college Women attend college for free The two year diplomas that are available are: Early Childhood Education/Assistant Computer Systems Technician General Business Law Clerk Office Administration

 Phase

3: internship 14-week professional internship to gain work experience 4: completion Connects women to opportunities for fulltime employment with other industry partners. Supports women to transition into their new lives. Stipend: receives $1500 upon completion of the program

Phase

 Location

Currently only offered in Toronto

Career

Options Limited to several specific fields Only offered in English

Language

Time

Office hours are 9a.m. 5p.m. Monday to Friday Restricted to single mothers

Gender

 Public

funded (60%) by: Ontario Women, City of Toronto, United Way funded (40%) by: Industry Council

Privately

Once finished the four phases the program, and finally start working, they can still stay in Homeward Bound until the end of their 4 year contract However, rent goes up according to income
Support is still provided: workshopsmoney management The woman can stay as long as all requirements are meet and she is with in the 4 year contract. However can leave before this if she wants.
NILJEN

 Homeward

Bounds four year commitment is a one time opportunity

a member decides to leave because she feels she is well off but meets another unfortunate circumstance e.g. abusive relationship cannot go back to the program

If

She

This

program is offered so unfortunate circumstances wont happen again

 Follow

up with the families 3, 6, 12 and 24 months upon completion of the program At anytime following the completion of the program the participants can contact the agency. Outreach program alumni association (meet and greet) Opportunity for women who have successfully completed the program to provide current participants with tips and strategies to help them succeed upon completion of the program
KAITLIN

 The

participants that have successfully completed all the phases and are now in self-sustaining careers is 70% .
with the new addition to phase 4 they are hoping to increase this rate.

And

Watch

Video

BRIANNE

 Homeward

Bound is designed for homeless single mothers who wants to move on from shelter life to better lives for a strong motivated woman that is acutely aware of her goals and makes every attempt to reach them.
qualified, she can enter the four year commitment, she will be able to learn skills and be provided with support to attend college, and look for a job
SHARON

Looks

If

Continually provides workshops to help women assimilate back in to society so that they are left with many learnt life skills.

The

program helps women become self sufficient and provides opportunities to make not only the women's lives better but also a better future for their children as well

KAITLIN

HB Information Sheet Eligibility (2012). Retrieved from http://www.woodgreen.org/ServiceDetail.aspx?id=195&search=homeward%20bound Homeward Bound Success (2012). Retrieved from http://www.woodgreen.org/OurSuccess/HomewardBoundSuccess.aspx Service Detail (2012). Retrieved from http://www.woodgreen.org/ServiceDetail.aspx?id=195&search=homeward%20bound Shimoni, R. & Baxter, J. (2012) Working with Families (5th ed.). Toronto, ON: Pearson Canada Inc Woodgreens Homeward Bound: A graduate Speaks. Retrieved from http://www.woodgreen.org/OurSuccess/HomewardBoundSuccess.aspx http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU8--sdGzC8 Photo credits: http://www.mothernova.com/blog/in-the-know/welcome-parenting-website/ http://ainaadyana.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/mother-and-child-in-a-sunset.jpg http://www.acchs.edu/programs/graduation/