Addressing the roots of family homelessness

Supportive programming at Steve O'Neil Apartments strives to nurture children to achieve a brighter future

“Safe, stable housing is just the first step of many on the path to a brighter future.” --Lee Stuart, CHUM

The roots of intergenerational poverty and homelessness begin at birth. Research shows that children who live with deep poverty, unstable housing, and related issues (poor nutrition, lack of medical care, less exposure to vocabulary and developmental play, etc.) face built-in hurdles to achievement in school and life. A recent $105,000 grant to CHUM (Churches United in Ministry) continues the Northland Foundation's support for early childhood programming at the Steve O’Neil Apartments, aimed toward interrupting the vicious cycle of family homelessness.

• 100% of the children at the Steve O’Neil Apartments are in poverty.

• 82% of the young residents live in single-parent households,

• A number of children are the 3rd generation of their families to experience homelessness.

The complex, which was developed through a collaboration of CHUM, Center City Housing, and One Roof Community Housing, opened in late 2014. It includes 44 units of permanent supportive housing to families, all with children, with access to supportive services to help them build stability. Programming for the children is a key part of these “wrap-around” services.

“In addition to the stresses of poverty and the daily insecurities of being homeless, many of the children have also lived with domestic violence, addiction, and mental health issues within their families,” stated Lee Stuart, the director of CHUM, which manages service provision at the Steve O'Neil Apartments.

“On their own, any one of these factors will negatively impact educational outcomes, and physical, psychological and emotional health. When a child has multiple stressors piled on their small shoulders, there is an even more profound effect,” said Stuart.

Program facets include early childhood programs and family coaching and support, with goals of creating a healing, enriching community culture; promoting health and wellness with health screenings, prevention education, mental health services, and more; and providing learning activities and support to help children meet developmental milestones and succeed in school. Weekly family activities are also offered.

“The Northland Foundation is pleased to continue multi-year support for this innovative approach to ending generational poverty and homelessness,” said Erik Torch, Director of Grantmaking.

“For decades, Northland has focused on early childhood and youth development as well as poverty alleviation. This grant to CHUM fits our priorities very well, and we are eager to see how this model continues to evolve and create impact,” Torch added.