Champ Homes Receives Youth & Young Adult Grant from the Cape and Islands United Way
Champ Homes, a local non-profit providing transitional housing and support services to Cape Cod residents, recently received a $10,000 grant from the Cape and Islands United Way in support of the Youth & Young Adult cohort of their Transitional Housing Assistance Program. Champ Homes’ ongoing mission is to provide transitional housing to adults on Cape Cod who are homeless or near homeless in a safe, compassionate, respectful environment, where they instill confidence and hope by providing life skills, mentoring, vocational opportunities, and self-advocacy.
Founded in 1989 and established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 1991, Champ Homes provides supportive, sober, transitional housing to individuals aged 18 and older on Cape Cod who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness. It is a community of people who benefit from the care, compassion, and the support of others. The organization serves individuals who are struggling with housing instability due to a variety of reasons including the current housing crisis.
Champ Homes is one of five community-based organizations serving the Youth and Young Adult (YYA) homeless community on Cape Cod, however, they are the only organization providing housing to this cohort, with the remaining four providing case management only. Champ Homes serves approximately 10 YYA over a one-year period, with participants ranging in age from 18-24.
These young adults come to Champ Homes from a variety of circumstances, including medical discharge from the military only to be facing homelessness, choosing to sign out of foster care while still in high school - despite that leading to housing instability - because that is currently the best option, and coming out as part of the LGBTQ+ community and no longer being welcome in your home. These are just a few examples of the challenges YYA participants face and why they have become part of the Champ Homes community.
Outcomes since launching the program in January of 2019 include:
31 total YYA participants have stayed with us for time periods ranging from three months to one year.
23 of the 31 YYA participants have moved on from Champ Homes.
21 (91.3%) of the participants who have moved on from Champ Homes have moved on to long-term sustainable housing.
8 participants are currently residing at Champ Homes.
10 of our 31 total YYA participants have worked on furthering their education.
The ultimate goal of the Transitional Housing Assistance Program is for an individual to learn skills and develop a strong foundation to assist them in re-entering the community in a healthier position and in finding long-term sustainable housing.
Transitional Housing is an intermediate step between emergency shelters and permanent housing. It is generally more long-term (typically up to two years) and provides support services. To date, YYA participants have lived at Champ Homes for time periods ranging from three months to one year.
The program addresses immediate concerns such as hot showers, clean towels, clothing and toiletries, an address and mail services, one prepared meal a day and food to make their own breakfast and lunch. However, once participants have established a place here, the program goes much further. Participants work closely with a team of care coordinators to navigate continuing education, access healthcare, housing applications, obtain employment, and learn how to advocate for themselves.
The Champ Homes Transitional Housing Assistance Program has been a proven approach to addressing homelessness on the Cape since opening their doors 33 years ago—serving over 3,000 individuals in that time. This program is unique to Cape Cod and strives to meet the individual needs of each participant who seeks assistance. It is unique in how it runs as a community of people—people who are benefiting from the care, compassion, and support of others.
Champ Homes believes in the value of providing a refuge where love, respect, and support enable each person to overcome the difficulties that led to their homelessness. It is through this caring, individualized program that participants can learn to thrive, sustain independent living, and regain their ability to be productive members of society.