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Our mission is to enable families to move from homelessness to independence by providing safe and affordable housing, comprehensive social services, and financial support. |
Click on the image above to listen to Board President Amy Schear reflect on the 30th Anniversary of Sinai House.
We serve up to eight families at a time, four in residence at Sinai House and four alumni living in the community. There are four fully-furnished apartments in Sinai House. We provide programs and professional services tailored to help each member of the family reach individual goals in finance, education and employment. After living in Sinai House for two years, the family can choose to participate in our two-year post-residency program in which they receive a tapering rent subsidy, some social services, and help in connecting to the services available to them in their new neighborhoods. We also continue to offer services to all our alumni on a less formal basis. The goal of Sinai House is to ensure that departing residents and their families maintain financial independence and thrive in future years. Since its founding in 1992 by Temple Sinai members, we have served more than 50 families, including more than 100 children.
We require a significant level of commitment from the parents in our residency program. They must be working full-time or engaged in a combination of part-time work and part-time school or job training, which Sinai House may help finance. The children must attend accredited daycare or an appropriate school, and a structured summer camp program, which is either a free program or financed by Sinai House.
We require a significant level of commitment from the parents in our residency program. They must be working full-time or engaged in a combination of part-time work and part-time school or job training, which Sinai House may help finance. The children must attend accredited daycare or an appropriate school, and a structured summer camp program, which is either a free program or financed by Sinai House.
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Services
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Click on the image above to listen to Executive Director Sadija A. Smiley reflect on the 30th Anniversary of Sinai House.
Personalized Case Management
Our Executive Director works with each head of household (nearly all single mothers) to develop a plan that focuses on financial stability, the mother's career and educational development, the educational and emotional development of her children, and mental health support for each family member where needed. She meets regularly with the families and confers with our professional service providers to continuously assess the progress of each family member and adjust the plan accordingly.
Click on the image above to listen to Financial Counselor Dawn Mabery Chestnut.
Financial Education
The Financial Literacy Program is geared towards breaking the residents' cycle of debt. A certified financial education instructor works with our residents on the critical skills of budgeting, setting aside savings, taking steps to improve their credit scores, and learning about housing assistance programs. Residents are required to set aside a specified amount each month for their savings, which Sinai House matches on at least a 2:1 basis, enabling most residents to have about $5,000 when they leave Sinai House.
Click on the image above to listen to Career Counselor Darren Cox
Career Development
Our career counselor trains the residents to assess their interests and abilities, develop job-related networks, discover job opportunities, prepare for interviews, and maintain commendable performance once they land a job. We also contribute to the costs or provide loans for college or job certification courses.
Click on the image above to listen to Dr. Tareka Cox.
Mental Health & Well Being
Many of our families have experienced trauma. The goal of the therapy we offer our adults is to help each person to function independently and transition to life without the Sinai House program support. A child therapist assesses every child who arrives at Sinai House, helps our staff monitor the child's emotional progress, and provides therapy, when appropriate.
Click on the image above to listen to Educational Advocate Grace Dickerson.
Educational Counseling
Our educational advocate assesses each child who enters the Sinai House program, monitors their educational progress throughout their residency, and provides resources to the parents in identifying and securing appropriate educational services for their children. She also provides support and resources for our volunteer tutors.
Read about our successes and challenges this past year by clicking on the button below to download our annual report.
Sinai House depends on the support of its generous donors
and does not receive any government funds.
Tax identification #52-1788685
United Way National Capital Area #9854
CFC #73039
and does not receive any government funds.
Tax identification #52-1788685
United Way National Capital Area #9854
CFC #73039
Click on video to watch SinaiHouse: Building Bridges to Independence
