“We’re not a shelter, and we’re not simply housing,” explains Amy Jackson to an attentive group of Joshua Station applicants. “If you’re a good fit, you’ll be part of a supportive, intensive program of working hard toward your own goals.”
“It’s very inspiring to see how excited and sincere these new people are!” says family advocate Maria Diaz. This will be the single largest intake of residents in Joshua Station’s history, thanks to the renovation work we’ve undertaken in the past year.
At the same time, our staff faces difficult decisions to narrow the field of applicants to just a dozen or so. (The exact number will depend on family sizes.) They are working hard with application reviews, interviews, references, background checks, and drug testing. Each family has a compelling—and frankly heartbreaking—story. Homelessness has a variety of causes and effects, but trauma is a common thread. Even in this exciting intake process, our staff carries a heavy emotional load.
People often ask about our waiting list. We don’t have a list, but when there are openings we host an in-person group Information Session, after which people can apply. Among the things they learn:
Joshua Station is…
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Faith-based, while open to all
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Safe, affordable housing
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Supportive programming empowering families toward stable housing and self-sufficiency
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A community with shared joys, struggles, personal gifts, and service responsibilities (two hours per month per adult)
Support
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Therapy/counseling for adults and children, other mental health support
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Adults: Peer recovery, job skills, life skills, academic support, resource advocacy
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Youth: Afterschool enrichment and academic support, summer day programming and a week-long camp away, STEM learning, field trips, outdoor outings, community building
Eligibility
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Currently experiencing homelessness or at risk for homelessness
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Dependent children in your care
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Must have income, and income under 30% of area median
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Minimum 90 days sobriety from drugs and alcohol
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Willingness to engage on our program and work toward goals
Requirements
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Pay rent (no more than 30% of income)
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Attend weekly advocacy meeting
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Attend weekly Thursday dinners
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Attend enrichment classes
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Attend monthly town halls
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Participate in counseling (each adult and child)
Program Phases
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Connection Phase – first 90 days (If successful, invited to Partnership)
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Partnership Phase – remaining 21 months (If successful, invited to Graduation)
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Graduation – Celebration, move out, aftercare. (Includes $1,000 award that can be used for housing costs such as security deposit and/or first month’s rent in new home.)
