Our transitional housing program offers 29 residences to homeless families. The fully-furnished homes and apartments are located in neighborhoods in Puyallup, Sumner, Orting, Eatonville, Buckley, Bonney Lake, and Milton. Each home has age-appropriate books and toys for the children and a handmade quilt on every bed. Families can stay up to two years, which gives them the time to make permanent changes in their lives. Our goal is to move families from dependency to self-sufficiency so that they never have to face the trauma of being homeless again.

As in our emergency program, each family has a case manager who orients them to the requirements of the program, assists them in tailoring a family stability plan with specific goals and steps, and monitors their progress during weekly case management meetings. The families work closely with their case managers. They regain their hope, self-confidence, and pride of accomplishment. They work very hard and are held accountable The children are very involved in the plan and in the process. We are especially concerned with consistent schooling for the children and offer assistance for after-school activities and summer camp. There is a fee for this program; 30% of their income goes to rent.

Families are required to work, to go to school, and to attend at least 15 hours of life-skills classes a year. Some of the life-skills topics cover: parenting, budgeting, communicating, decision making, landlord-tenant law, nutrition, car repair, and first-time home buyer. We provide transportation, child care, and dinner for attendees. We refer families to other services such as healthcare, dental, and counseling as needed. Because we focus on long-term solutions, we emphasize improving educations and job skills as well.

When families graduate from Helping Hand House, most are making incomes to meet their budgets and have saved move-in costs for their own housing. Many have finished their educations or have gotten job-skill training to start new work. They become active, accomplished, and productive community members. Many seek ways to help others through sharing the information they have gained working through some of their challenges.

Families stay in touch after they graduate. They call to let us know how they are doing and to ask for advice. We have become a turning point that they never forget.