OUR FATHERS TABLE

Eight years ago we were shocked by how near impossible it was for those experiencing chronic homelessness to move off the streets, to find recovery, restoration, to put an end to their chronic homelessness, to FINALLY find intervention towards a real pathway home.

We knew chronic homelessness was only growing every year with no slowing in sight, a 966% increase since 2007 in Orange County. We understood that no single agency fills all the needs of a chronic homeless individual, usually it takes 26 agencies. We realized the Homeless Service System is enormous, with over 3000 programs in O.C. We felt how hopeless the chronic homeless were feeling trying to find an end to their homelessness through the Homeless Services System, grappling with the logistics of navigating such a myriad of agencies only to give up, with no hope in sight.

Right then we decided to create a program focused on the unique characteristics of those experiencing chronic homelessness; battling drug addictions, alcoholism, severe mental illness, disabilities - intellectual and physical plus living on the streets for years. We would become the bridge to fill the gap between the homeless services & agencies and those experiencing chronic homelessness. We would attack the problem of chronic homelessness at its root cause. That was a big goal but we know we could do it! Project: Restoration was born.

We achieved the goal we set in 2014 and we became the only program of its kind solely serving the chronic homeless community. Project: Restoration is a PROVEN, vital connection between chronic homelessness and the hundreds of OC agencies providing services and housing. We became THE MISSING LINK to ending chronic homelessness.

Project: Restoration offers an effective, efficient, successful restorative intervention program. Our program combines best practices from the world’s leading programs. It focuses on the “Whole Person” offering a comprehensive physical, behavioral, emotional & socioeconomic support. Project: Restoration establishes accountability, builds resilience and creates an optimal environment to restore individuals to productive citizens, ending their chronic homelessness. By providing a caring Mentor and Advocate, we ensure a fully integrated care coordination between the Homeless Services System and the chronic homeless. We assure each person experiencing chronic homelessness in our program receives individual hands-on attention addressing their personalized needs.

Project: Restoration was founded on the belief that TOGETHER we can overcome the key and complex issues of getting those experiencing chronic homelessness off the streets, giving a hand up, not a hand out. We were right in our belief and our remarkable results prove it.

Since our beginning in November of 2014, we have ENDED chronic homelessness for 370 folks and a 95% success rate. In the past year alone, we have ended chronic homelessness for 42 of our neighbors, 42 folks who have a place to call home this Christmas morning! That’s our definition of success! 99% are clean & sober, 99% have a job & paying their bills, 97% no longer need food stamps, ALL have found a pathway home, RESTORED, and no longer homeless.

I know you agree with me in saying that our work is essential to ending chronic homelessness in our community, with our veterans, families, men and women. OFT Project: Restoration is needed now more than ever! The latest numbers show 52% of all Orange County homeless are experiencing chronic homelessness and projections indicate it will only keep growing.

We must act now and TOGETHER we can end this!