Our Crestview residents have a real opportunity to overcome barriers in a community that actively fosters stability, growth, self-reliance, and long-term change. At Crestview adults have ongoing support and resources so they can maintain safe, drug-free homes. Children become healthier emotionally and physically, achieve greater success in school, become more resilient, and some who have lived in foster care are reunited with their parents. The Crestview Community program effects long-term change by strengthening and empowering formerly homeless families in a safe, supportive environment. The program components include:
Recovery Support
Each individual's continued recovery is essential to the success of the Crestview community, and is promoted through a combination of intensive case management, on-site services, and community collaborations. Participants set goals for recovery and meet weekly with staff to review progress and forge strategies to prevent relapse. Comprehensive services address chemical, mental, physical, and spiritual health; parenting, family and relationships; and community involvement. Residents attend weekly support groups at Crestview in addition to 12-step or other recovery groups in the community.
Education and Employment
Crestview residents work on acquiring the tools they need to go to work. The Education and Employment Coordinator helps them chart constructive plans for economic stability, family literacy, and further education. She also facilitates access to special education and community resources and establishes collaborative relationships with employment and training organizations to help to ensure that New Foundation participants are successful.
Economic Stability/Job Retention Support
The Education and Employment Coordinator helps each resident assess her (his) level of experience and skills, and identify barriers to economic stability. Each participant develops an individual education and employment plan, and works on improving parenting skills. All residents learn to develop and maintain a budget. They also learn how to clear bad credit history and establish positive credit. On-site workshops and individual coaching help residents focus on appropriate workplace behavior, coworker relationships, and conducting a job search. Ongoing case management, employment follow-up, interim financial assistance for transportation and childcare are also part of the program.
Children's Services
Personal, child-by-child case management and coordination of outside services help parents set and implement goals for their children. Children receive support during the reunification process and learn to develop strategies to cope with the dynamics of a family newly in recovery. Parents become involved at their children's schools and attend school conferences. Children stay in the same school and participate in after-school activities that build self-esteem and connection with the community. The children's Services Coordinator provides on-site support, and a on-site tutors help kids with their homework. New Foundations contracts with professionals to ensure that all children have access to individual therapy.
The Children's House
Lack of quality, affordable childcare is a major barrier to low-income working families, and to help alleviate this problem New Foundations opened a childcare center in 2000. Children's House, which is near to Crestview, provides culturally competent licensed family daycare for Crestview and other families.
Community Building
Crestview residents are active in both the Crestview community and the greater community. Each resident is a member of the Crestview Resident Council, and many volunteer in the community. Staff and participants work together to advocate for affordable housing, and Crestview residents have successfully testified about the need for and impact of permanent supportive housing at the Legislature, City Council, and community forums. Residents also organized a neighborhood barbeque to celebrate New Foundations' tenth anniversary.
