CRISIS HOUSE

Crisis House is a landmark Community Resource Center established in 1970 in El Cajon, California. As the primary Community Resource Center in East County serving the poor and homeless, it is both our objective and challenge to serve every individual who walks through our doors, as well as those who call our offices for crisis intervention and referral services. We support men, women, and children to overcome complex and challenging circumstances, including domestic violence, health conditions, and lack of access to food and housing. From our offices in El Cajon, Crisis House operates four housing programs for survivors of domestic violence with children and two for families and individuals, including veterans, experiencing homelessness. Today, Crisis House provides services to over 5,000 people annually in East County.

Crisis House administers a variety of programs and activities for individuals and families experiencing a crisis. Our four domestic violence programs offer a continuum of housing. This includes Journey On, an emergency housing program, which provides temporary shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Staff advocates work with survivors to identify supportive services and more permanent housing options, helping resolve their crisis.

New Journey is a transitional and rapid rehousing program that serves women and children fleeing domestic violence. New Journey supports families recovering from trauma in safe, furnished apartments in confidential locations throughout the region. Families receive case management, food, healthcare, and individual and group counseling, empowering them to make positive lifestyle changes. Participants are given time to increase income through employment education and mentoring. The program goal is for all participants to graduate into safe and sustainable housing.

Journey Home and Safe Journey are rapid re-housing programs for women or men with children experiencing domestic violence. These person-based rapid re-housing programs offer financial assistance, so participants can access permanent housing. Safe Journey includes funds for Homeless Prevention, meaning, domestic violence survivors and their children are eligible for financial assistance to retain their current rental housing.
Behavioral Health Services are available to all participants in the Journey Programs and include crisis intervention and individual, family and child therapy. All Journey Program participants can access Resource Center services.

Our Resource Center is available to any individual regardless of race, ethnicity, religious creed, ancestry, citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, medical condition, or disability. Crisis House is the designated housing Access Center/Coordinated Entry System (CES) site for East County. An evaluation of each client's situation is conducted to connect them to the appropriate services. Case Managers work with clients to develop a plan to work toward achieving self-sufficiency. Crucial resources are identified to support clients and clients are provided information & referrals based on their immediate needs.

El Cajon Housing Connections is the housing program for families and individuals experiencing homelessness unrelated to a domestic violence incident. The program can provide rental assistance for families and individuals if they are homeless in the City of El Cajon. Also, Journey Home has funding for three units for veterans or the general homeless population.

Crisis House staff can help clients enroll in Cal Fresh for food benefits and/or the Care Program for utility bill reduction through SDG&E. Likewise, we provide referrals to the Department of Motor Vehicles for identification at reduced fees.

Weekdays, we provide safe storage, which allows clients to secure their belongings during the day. Mail services are available for those without a permanent address. Clients can use the phone in the Resource Center lobby to make outgoing, local calls. An emergency food package is provided to households in economic distress with cooking facilities. Homeless clients engaged in services are served oatmeal, a hot, balanced, and nutritious meal provided by Kitchens for Good, and other donations such as Panera Bread, and Santee Food Bank perishable items. A mobile medical clinic operated by Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) visits our site every Monday. Emergency clothing and clothing vouchers are issued to clients receiving case management services. Infant care products are provided to families with babies. Clients can request Hygiene Kits as needed, and on the second Wednesday of the month, Think Dignity is on site to provide showers and additional hygiene items. Finally, Crisis House hosts, Project Homeless Connect - East County, an annual event where people experiencing homelessness can access much-needed services from over 35 partner agencies in one location on a single day.