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Our advocates work with the guests to address their needs - not what we think they should do.
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Some of the most important services we offer our guests are through our Advocacy program. Six full-time advocates, two part-time advocates and one MSW graduate student work one-on-one with guests to help them find permanent solutions to the challenges they face. Advocates see approximately 10,000 guests annually for assistance with housing, health and wellness care, educational and employment opportunities, clothing, legal advice, transportation, and emergency funds for eviction prevention and prescriptions. Five of our advocates are bilingual in either Spanish or Haitian Creole.
Rosie’s Place provides three advocate specialists who are able to assist women with more complex problems. These specialists include a housing search expert, a job search counselor, and a legal service specialist. By bringing these experts in-house, we are able to tailor the services we provide to the specific needs of our guests. Furthermore, our guests feel comfortable confronting their issues within Rosie’s Place’s environment of trust.
The Advocacy program also focuses on preventing homelessness among our guests. Our Homelessness Prevention Outreach advocates provides in-home support to guests who are at risk of becoming homeless and tailors a support system that might include referrals for mental health treatment, medications, substance abuse treatment, job placement, housing supports, social support, and primary health care.
Our advocates do not dictate solutions; instead they listen to and collaborate with guests to find the appropriate next steps. If Rosie’s Place does not offer a service that a guest needs, the advocacy department provides links to a range of outside social and community organizations. By linking our guests with external services and providing financial and emotional assistance, we are working to stop the cycle of chronic homelessness.
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