Charity Event

THE HOMELESS FAMILIES FOUNDATION
www.homelessfamiliesfoundation.org

Our Mission
To provide shelter, support, stability, and nurturing for homeless children and their families as they prepare to acquire and maintain permanent housing.

Who We Are
The Homeless Families Foundation (HFF), established in 1986, is a private non-profit organization whose vision is to contribute to the reduction of generational homelessness in our community by providing the highest quality customer-focused services that set the standard of practice for all shelters. HFF is a Tier II temporary emergency facility dedicated to providing shelter to homeless children and their families. In 2010, 217 families, including 470 children, were housed. 85% successfully moved to permanent housing.

What We Do
HFF makes a difference in the lives of families through programs that provide the stability needed to acquire jobs, housing and a chance at a better life. We provide:

  • 38 fully furnished apartment shelter units.
  • Case management to help families regain support and stability on their paths to permanent housing.
  • Life Skills interventions focused on mentoring and/or modeling of skills required for families to be successful in permanent housing.
  • The Dowd Education Center, providing state-of-the-art afterschool and summer programs for children ages 5 – 13. The Dowd Education Center served 169 school ages children during the 2009/2010 school year. During this time, 89.9% of these children improved their math skills and 77.6% improved and/or maintained their reading skills. A wide variety of enrichment activities were also offered at the Dowd Education Center to help children improve social and developmental skills.
  • A secure playground with age appropriate equipment, basketball courts, trees, picnic tables and benches.

Why We Are Different

  • HFF is focused on providing stability for homeless children.
  • HFF’s Dowd Education Center is open to children from other family shelters and at-risk children in the Franklinton community.
  • The Dowd staff and volunteers provide an intensive academic program, supported by Columbus City Schools Project Connect Program, grants, private gifts, and collaborations with other community agencies..
  • In 2010, the Dowd Education Center served 169 school-age children and provided nearly 41,000 hours of tutoring, enrichment, homework assistance, enrichment and recreational activities in the after-school and summer programs.

Why We Are Needed

  • In the last half of 2010, the Community Shelter Board reported an 18% increase in shelter utilization with fewer units being available in the Tier II system.
  • Average monthly household income in 2010 was $264.
  • The average age of children served at HFF in 2010 was 7 years old.
  • Without the opportunity to receive an appropriate education, homeless children are much less likely to acquire the skills they need to escape poverty as adults.

How Are We Funded
Homeless Families Foundation’s 2010 budget is $1,739,000. HFF is a partner agency of the Community Shelter Board and is approved to receive individually designated United Way/Combined Federal Campaign donations.

  • 46% Government funding (including CSB and its funders – City of Columbus, United Way of Central Ohio, Franklin County Board of Commissioners and others; the Ohio Department of Development)
  • 24% Individuals
  • 18% Corporate
  • 8% Foundations
  • 3% Organizations
  • 1% other

The Homeless Families Foundation 651 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 (614) 461-9247
www.homelessfamiliesfoundation.org