THE CARYING PLACE INC

THE CARYING PLACE'S (TCP) 16-WEEK LIFE SKILLS AND SHORT-TERM TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM HELPS HOMELESS, WORKING FAMILIES MAKE THE TRANSITION TO ADEQUATE PERMANENT HOUSING AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. WE SERVE ABOUT 36 FAMILIES A YEAR IN OUR HOUSING WITH AN AVERAGE OF 2-3 CHILDREN PER FAMILY. THEY LIVE RENT AND UTILITY-FREE WHILE IN A TCP-OWNED PROPERTY. TCP IS THE ONLY LIFE SKILLS TRAINING AND SHORT TERM TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM IN CARY AND WESTERN WAKE COUNTY. OUR PROGRAM GOAL IS TO PREPARE FAMILIES FOR POST-PROGRAM HOUSING AND TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO PAY ALL OF THEIR NECESSARY LIVING EXPENSES. FAMILIES ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO MAINTAIN SAVINGS FOR EMERGENCIES (MEDICAL CARE, CAR REPAIRS, ETC.). JUST AS IMPORTANT, FAMILIES DEVELOP THE PLANS AND SELF-CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO SUSTAIN THEIR HOUSING AND NEW LIFE SKILLS LONG-TERM. OUR PROGRAM STAFF MATCHES TRAINED ADULT SUPPORT TEAM AND CARING SPONSOR VOLUNTEERS WITH PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO TEACH AND CELEBRATE PROGRESS IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, PLANNING SKILLS, AND INDEPENDENT HOUSING ATTAINMENT. THESE VOLUNTEERS MEET WITH THEIR FAMILY WEEKLY AND FOCUS ON BUDGETING, GOAL SETTING, RESOURCE LINKING, AND TIME MANAGEMENT. PARTICIPANTS REPORT WEEKLY SPENDING, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND CHALLENGES AND THEN CREATE NEW GOALS AND A PLANNED BUDGET TO HELP GUIDE THEM IN SUBSEQUENT WEEKS. WE EMPLOY ABOUT 300 VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING THE ONES MENTIONED ABOVE, PROPERTY VOLUNTEERS, OFFICE VOLUNTEERS, EVENT VOLUNTEERS, BOARD VOLUNTEERS AND VARIOUS VOLUNTEER GROUPS. TCP ALSO PROVIDES A WEEKLY CHILDREN'S PROGRAM WITH STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS THAT OFFER LIFE ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES TO THE CHILDREN IN OUR FAMILIES. CHILDREN'S PROGRAM OFFERS RESOURCES SUCH AS ACCESS TO CHILDCARE, EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT, EXTRACURRICULAR/FUN SKILL BUILDING ACTIVITIES. WE ALSO PROVIDE ONGOING LIFE SKILLS INFORMATION AND MORAL SUPPORT TO ABOUT 45 DIFFERENT GRADUATE FAMILIES ANNUALLY.