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women
prostitutes
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the
children of these women
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women
who have to care for the children of deceased or
dysfunctional siblings or relatives
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single
mothers who are teenagers
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single
mothers/relatives of children, who are unable to
adequately nurture the children in their care
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homeless
men and women, most of whom are also either addicted
or mentally ill
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children
and adolescents who spend their time on the streets
even though they do have a place of residence
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Note:
Homeless people includes those who do not have a living
space of their own, who stay in various peoples homes a few
days, a few weeks or months. Usually they are giving sexual
"services" in return for lodging; they pan-handle
for food and illegal drugs for their hosts; they are
physically abused, or made to sleep wherever there may be
space available. This is often not reported on, nor are
these people counted when figures are given on the homeless.
It is a situation we observe regularly.
Goals:
We will continue to assist the women now in rehabilitation
for another twelve months. We will continue and expand, as
needed, our ministry to their children.
We will have “street” contact with up 100 or more women
who are engaging in prostitution.
We will take in 25 clients in 2003 to begin or to
continue in recovery. Of
these 25, three or four will be on the way to
self-sufficiency. 10
to 12 will return to the streets.
The rest will be in various stages of recovery.
We will increase our assistance to women
and children
living in poverty through. This outreach will
include the Tuesday through Saturday night meal program in
the northeast vacant lot of
W. North Ave.
and
N 16th Street
and N 21st and W Brown Streets.Here we will continue
to engage the people who come for a simple meal to assess
their needs and try to assist them in getting the basic
needs met.
We will research programs and resources for homeless men and
women who seek to be clean and sober and to live in a
permanent place of residence. We will assist them, according
to our resources, with necessities during this time.
Statement of the Problem:
An attitude of irresponsibility and dependency has developed
among many who are poor. As children or youth they did not
experience adults in stable employment; did not live with
parents who budgeted and saved for future needs; did not
learn to sew and repair clothes or personal items; did not
learn to bake nor to cook nutritious meals; did not learn
how to shop for the best buy.
Many have not developed skills that make them desirable for
employment. Some do not have good inter-personal skills nor
acceptable personal hygiene. It is unfortunate that lack of
the knowledge of how to wash and clean clothes without
ruining them, of keeping a house clean, of caring for
furniture and appliances, of respecting property of others,
make some of the poor undesirable as tenants.
We encounter children who lie, steal, use vulgar and abusive
language, who physically fight with other children and
sometimes with adults, make threats, and destroy property as
a means of "getting even" or of establishing their
"turf".
Teen pregnancy has led many a young woman to be
self-centered and aggressive. If the
"child-mother" did not receive love and support
for herself and her situation, she may have become a very
angry woman who is not easy to get to know nor pleasant to
work with, who is without life/career goals, and who brings
bad habits from youth into her adult life and may act in a
hostile and aggressive manner.
It is our opinion that many of the people we minister to are
simply overwhelmed at what is being demanded of them in the
climate of welfare reforms. They have not been prepared for
such a complete change of expectations. They will need help
before they can assume complete personal responsibility for
themselves, their dependents and the quality of life they
need and deserve. Frankly, most of the people we serve do
not have the work habits, attitudes, or skills most
employers would insist on.
Expected Impact of the Program:
The Franciscan Peacemakers ministry is an attempt to
find ways for the most needy and often despised of poor
people to become whole, sane, hopeful, responsible and
motivated, who will make a positive contribution to society.
We assist those who participate in our program to develop
realizable goals and we work with them to achieve these
goals. We believe that as these successes happen within our
target population, the program can and will be replicated by
others. Individuals will learn to make good use of their own
resources, and children will be taught a healthier, more
dignified way of living and thereby become more responsible
for themselves while experiencing less of the chaos that has
made their lives so reactive, so violent, often aimless and
detrimental to society.
Criteria for Evaluation:
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addicts
to be clean and sober for 12 consecutive months
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adults
employed and able to contribute 40% of their
financial needs within four months of beginning the
program
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parent
and child reunited within 18 months in the program
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children
have at least two changes of clothes, one pair of
dress shoes and one pair of play or sport shoes, and
adequate outer wear for the winter
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assurance
of good nutrition within the family
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medical,
dental and vision problems being attended to with
follow up
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no
arrests of adults for violence, child or substance
abuse, nor prostitution
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clean,
safe and furnished, living space appropriate to the
number of persons living in the dwelling, their
ages, and basic comfort (e.g. beds with mattresses,
linens for the beds, cooking utensils, dishes and
silverware, adequate lighting, chairs or a sofa)
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a
written budget
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a
plan for support of the efforts to be clean and
sober (e.g. active in 12 Step recovery groups)
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employment
skills evaluation and enrollment in a program to
develop skills for full-time employment
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regular
participation in a parish or church of their choice
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on-going
counseling with a therapist or pastoral counselor as
needed
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spends
three hours weekly in Employment Skills Room at
Franciscan Peacemakers offices
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