St. Mark continues to provide dinner and lunch at Transition House to 50 – 60 people, once every two months (3rd Thursdays of even-numbered months). Transition House is so well run and effective that they have an abundance of volunteers offering to support this worthwhile community service. Otherwise St Mark members would happily serve there more often!

Transition House provides aid to local homeless families by offering shelter for those in immediate need and by teaching life-skills necessary to step out of the downward spiral of poverty, become self-sufficient, and return to permanent housing.

Transition House begins as an emergency shelter where homeless families receive food, shelter, and transitional case management. Families are stabilized, career goals are identified, and strategies to reach them are implemented. Clients participate in employment and/or educational programs. Children are enrolled in school or quality childcare. Transition House’s McCune Family Shelter houses between 15 – 22 families (up to 70 people), and all meals are provided.

Families may stay in transitional living residences for an average of six months. Career counseling, financial management, and educational enhancement continue. Families prepare their own meals and share in household chores. Each family has private sleeping quarters and a portion of income is paid in rent.

Permanent, affordable housing provides placement in low-cost apartments owned by Transition House. Career monitoring, case management, and educational enhancement continue to be provided till the family reaches an income level enabling them to afford market-rate housing. Heads of household become fully invested in jobs they care about. The family becomes self-sufficient.

For more information on St. Mark’s involvement at Transition House, contact Roy Smith (work): 805.963.0904  or visit http://transitionhouse.com.