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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. |
We provide fully furnished apartments in Washington, D.C. to four formerly homeless families at a time, along with a suite of wrap-around social services to support the success of our residents. Families live at Sinai House for about two years, while working on their journey to independence. Our goal is that departing residents and their families be able to maintain financial independence and thrive in future years. Since its founding in 1992 by Temple Sinai members, we have served over 45 families, including more than 90 children.
We require a significant level of commitment from the parents in our residency program. They must work full-time or engage 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.
Reversing a history of adversity and low income may require more ongoing assistance and service for some families than our two-year residency program, so we are rolling out a post-residency program in Fall 2020 as our current residents move out. For up to two years, participants will receive a tapering subsidy, some social services and help in connecting to services available to them in their new neighborhoods. We will eventually double our current capacity, serving up to eight families at a time, four in residence at Sinai House and four alumni who will be living in the community. We continue to offer services to all our alumni on a less formal basis.
We require a significant level of commitment from the parents in our residency program. They must work full-time or engage 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.
Reversing a history of adversity and low income may require more ongoing assistance and service for some families than our two-year residency program, so we are rolling out a post-residency program in Fall 2020 as our current residents move out. For up to two years, participants will receive a tapering subsidy, some social services and help in connecting to services available to them in their new neighborhoods. We will eventually double our current capacity, serving up to eight families at a time, four in residence at Sinai House and four alumni who will be living in the community. We continue to offer services to all our alumni on a less formal basis.
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Services
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. |
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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.
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.
Mental Health & Well Being
Many of our families have experience trauma in their lives. The goal of therapy we offer our adults is to help each mother to function as an independent person and to 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.
Educational Counseling
An education consultant 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.
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.
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.
Mental Health & Well Being
Many of our families have experience trauma in their lives. The goal of therapy we offer our adults is to help each mother to function as an independent person and to 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.
Educational Counseling
An education consultant 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.
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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 |
