FACETS Receives Significant Grants from Freddie Mac Foundation and Phillip L. Graham Fund to Support Homelessness Prevention
FACETS, a nonprofit offering a spectrum of supportive services for Fairfax’s vulnerable individuals and families, is helping lead a major effort to reduce and prevent county homelessness, thanks to two major grants.
Fairfax, VA, May 06, 2010 --(PR.com)-- FACETS to Help Shrink County Shelter Waitlist
FACETS, a nonprofit offering a spectrum of supportive services for Fairfax’s vulnerable individuals and families, is helping lead a major effort to reduce and prevent county homelessness, thanks to two major grants received recently from the Freddie Mac Foundation and the Phillip L. Graham Fund. In line with Fairfax County's Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, the grants are supporting FACETS’ efforts to rapidly re-house homeless families, helping them avoid shelters and get back on their feet faster.
“Our goal is to put an end to the county’s shelter waitlist. Getting the homeless and nearly homeless into housing with supportive services is critical to help them regain control of their lives. These important grants are helping us do this by dramatically changing the way we deliver services to the homeless. Already we’re seeing very positive results with fewer homeless waiting,” said Amanda Andere, executive director, FACETS.
The Freddie Mac Foundation provided a $100,000 grant—a large increase from previous years—to support FACETS’ work to reduce the number of families and individuals waiting for shelter. The grant enables FACETS to hire additional staff to support its work to find stable housing for those who are precariously housed. Through the grant, FACETS will continue providing basic necessities and case management support with an emphasis on rapid re-housing and shelter diversion for up to 100 homeless families who are on the county’s shelter waitlist.
“The Freddie Mac Foundation is committed to helping our community’s vulnerable children and families succeed. Having a place to call home is fundamental to making this a reality,” said Foundation President & CEO Ralph F. Boyd. “FACETS is helping lead the way to eliminate homelessness in Fairfax County, and we’re pleased to be supporting their tremendous work.”
In Fairfax County, 1,500 families are homeless, an 11 percent decrease from 2009. By assisting these families in finding private housing alternative helps stabilize them and frees up space in family shelters. Specifically, FACETS works with each client family to secure stable housing in as short a time as possible. In some cases, FACETS staff is able to negotiate with landlords regarding late rent so that families may return to previous housing. Additionally, staff advocates to find families reduced rent or alternative, but stable, housing options. FACETS also assists families by referring them to transitional housing programs or helping them apply for subsidized housing.
A $30,000 grant from the Phillip L. Graham Fund is further enhancing FACETS ability to reduce and prevent homelessness. The grant is covering the costs of purchasing two new databases that will more effectively track FACETS’ 5,000 clients and 3,000 volunteers. FACETS’ volunteers provided nearly 39,000 hours of service last year, the equivalent of 18 additional staff. However, keeping track of volunteers and clients is an enormous task. The new databases will ensure that FACETS is better able to manage its growing responsibilities.
About FACETS
FACETS works throughout Fairfax County to help impoverished men, women, and children succeed by offering a full spectrum of services, such as basic needs and financial assistance, counseling and outreach, educational enrichment programs, and permanent and transitional supportive housing.
Contact: Shawn Flaherty,
Creative Strategies PR, 703-554-3609
###
FACETS, a nonprofit offering a spectrum of supportive services for Fairfax’s vulnerable individuals and families, is helping lead a major effort to reduce and prevent county homelessness, thanks to two major grants received recently from the Freddie Mac Foundation and the Phillip L. Graham Fund. In line with Fairfax County's Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, the grants are supporting FACETS’ efforts to rapidly re-house homeless families, helping them avoid shelters and get back on their feet faster.
“Our goal is to put an end to the county’s shelter waitlist. Getting the homeless and nearly homeless into housing with supportive services is critical to help them regain control of their lives. These important grants are helping us do this by dramatically changing the way we deliver services to the homeless. Already we’re seeing very positive results with fewer homeless waiting,” said Amanda Andere, executive director, FACETS.
The Freddie Mac Foundation provided a $100,000 grant—a large increase from previous years—to support FACETS’ work to reduce the number of families and individuals waiting for shelter. The grant enables FACETS to hire additional staff to support its work to find stable housing for those who are precariously housed. Through the grant, FACETS will continue providing basic necessities and case management support with an emphasis on rapid re-housing and shelter diversion for up to 100 homeless families who are on the county’s shelter waitlist.
“The Freddie Mac Foundation is committed to helping our community’s vulnerable children and families succeed. Having a place to call home is fundamental to making this a reality,” said Foundation President & CEO Ralph F. Boyd. “FACETS is helping lead the way to eliminate homelessness in Fairfax County, and we’re pleased to be supporting their tremendous work.”
In Fairfax County, 1,500 families are homeless, an 11 percent decrease from 2009. By assisting these families in finding private housing alternative helps stabilize them and frees up space in family shelters. Specifically, FACETS works with each client family to secure stable housing in as short a time as possible. In some cases, FACETS staff is able to negotiate with landlords regarding late rent so that families may return to previous housing. Additionally, staff advocates to find families reduced rent or alternative, but stable, housing options. FACETS also assists families by referring them to transitional housing programs or helping them apply for subsidized housing.
A $30,000 grant from the Phillip L. Graham Fund is further enhancing FACETS ability to reduce and prevent homelessness. The grant is covering the costs of purchasing two new databases that will more effectively track FACETS’ 5,000 clients and 3,000 volunteers. FACETS’ volunteers provided nearly 39,000 hours of service last year, the equivalent of 18 additional staff. However, keeping track of volunteers and clients is an enormous task. The new databases will ensure that FACETS is better able to manage its growing responsibilities.
About FACETS
FACETS works throughout Fairfax County to help impoverished men, women, and children succeed by offering a full spectrum of services, such as basic needs and financial assistance, counseling and outreach, educational enrichment programs, and permanent and transitional supportive housing.
Contact: Shawn Flaherty,
Creative Strategies PR, 703-554-3609
###
Contact
FACETS
Shawn Flaherty
703.554-3609
facetscares.org
Shawn Flaherty
703.554-3609
facetscares.org
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