DRUEDING CENTER
12265 TOWNSEND RD, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19154 www.druedingcenter.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: DRUEDING CENTER HAS BECOME A TANGIBLE EXPRESSION OF HOLY REDEEMER HEALTH SYSTEM'S COMMITMENT TO FAMILIES AND AN EMBODIMENT OF ITS MISSION: TO CARE, COMFORT, AND HEAL. DRUEDING CENTER PARTNERS WITH OUR FAMILIES TO BUILD THE SKILLS TO HEAL FROM TRAUMA, RESTORE HOPE AND END THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS. DRUEDING CENTER DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE MULTIFACETED ISSUES OF HOMELESSNESS, TRAUMA, AND POVERTY; BY PROVIDING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO FAMILIES. WE ARE THE FIRST HOUSING PROGRAM TO ACHIEVE SANCTUARY CERTIFICATION, REFLECTING AN AGENCY-WIDE COMMITMENT TO TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE.

TO PROVIDE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO YOUNG HOMELESS FAMILIES

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - DRUEDING CENTER STAFF PARTNER WITH OUR RESIDENT FAMILIES TO FIND SOLID GROUND, HELPING PARENTS GAIN THE SKILL AND CONFIDENCE THAT ARE THE FOUNDATION FOR THEIR FUTURE INDEPENDENCE AND SHOWING THEIR CHILDREN THAT SUCCESS IS POSSIBLE IN THEIR LIVES. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE BEGINS TO EMERGE AND GRADUALLY BECOMES REAL AND ATTAINABLE. MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR FAMILIES - WHO HAVE SUFFERED TRAUMA AND STILL FACE DAUNTING ODDS ON THE PATH TO INDEPENDENCE - CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES, AND THESE ARE: (1) INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, (2) CLINICAL COUNSELING, (3) TRAUMA INFORMED SERVICES, (4) YOUTH ADVOCATE, (5) LIFE SKILLS, (6) PARENTING SKILLS, AND (7) GREEN LIGHT FOOD PANTRY.IN FY 20, DRUEDING CENTER SERVED A TOTAL OF 50 FAMILIES IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND 86% OF THE FAMILIES THAT LEFT THE PROGRAM MOVED INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. 85% OF THE FAMILIES IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM INCREASED THEIR SELF-SUFFICIENCY SCORES AND 82% OF THE RESIDENTS WERE WORKING, IN SCHOOL OR IN A PROGRAM. (1) INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT - EVERY FAMILY HAS A "FAMILY ADVOCATE", WHO WORKS WITH THE FAMILY TO SET AND REACH GOALS AROUND HOUSING, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH AND LIFE SKILLS THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO A FAMILY'S CHALLENGES, STRENGTHS, NEEDS, CONCERNS, AND OUTSIDE SUPPORT, AND FOLLOWS A REALISTIC TIMELINE. THE ADVOCATE COORDINATES A FAMILY TEAM, INCLUDING A THERAPIST, YOUTH ADVOCATE AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND YOUTH SERVICES, TO WORK WITH THE FAMILY TO MONITOR PROGRESS, AND REVIEW THE PLAN. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE REPLACED WITH RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS. MONEY MANAGEMENT AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ARE ESSENTIAL SKILLS TAUGHT TO EVERY FAMILY. IN FY 20, FAMILY ADVOCATES HELD 1,110 OFFICE VISITS AND AN ADDITIONAL 619 OTHER CONTACTS WITH FAMILIES. IN ADDITION, 67 FAMILY TEAM MEETINGS WERE HELD.(2) CLINICAL COUNSELING - DRUEDING CENTER'S TWO THERAPISTS FOCUS ON CHILDREN'S AND ADULT ISSUES. THEY OFFER INDIVIDUAL THERAPY FOR ADULTS, CHILDREN, FAMILY THERAPY AND GROUP THERAPY FOR ADULTS IN SPECIFIC AREAS SUCH AS RELATIONSHIP GROUP, STRESS GROUP, ETC. THERAPISTS ALSO CONDUCT "PATHS" (PROMOTING ALTERNATIVE THINKING STRATEGIES) ACTIVITY GROUPS, BACKED-UP BY TEACHER-LED ACTIVITIES, TO PROMOTE EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL COMPETENCIES, REDUCE AGGRESSION AND BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS, AND HELP CHILDREN FROM PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BECOME RECEPTIVE LEARNERS. IN FY 20, THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 254 COUNSELING SESSIONS HELD, 72 CHILDREN'S GROUPS AND 39 ADULT GROUPS.(3) TRAUMA INFORMED SERVICES - ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CENTER ON FAMILY HOMELESSNESS, OVER 90% OF HOMELESS MOTHERS EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFETIME AND HOMELESS CHILDREN SUFFER FROM EMOTIONAL OR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS THAT INTERFERE WITH LEARNING AT ALMOST THREE TIMES THE RATE OF OTHER CHILDREN. DRUEDING CENTER, A SANCTUARY(TM) CERTIFIED ORGANIZATION, PROVIDES TRAUMA INFORMED SERVICES DESIGNED TO DELIVER CARE IN A WAY THAT ACKNOWLEDGES THE ROLE THAT TRAUMA PLAYS IN THEIR LIVES.(4) YOUTH ADVOCATE - THE YOUTH ADVOCATE PARTICIPATES ON THE FAMILY TEAM AND WORKS DIRECTLY WITH EACH CHILD IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM. A DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING, AGES & STAGES, IS CONDUCTED FOR EVERY CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE WITHIN 45 DAYS OF MOVE-IN AND REFERRALS, WITH FOLLOW-UP SERVICES AS NEEDED. THE YOUTH ADVOCATE IS THE PRIMARY LIAISON WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL FOR ENROLLMENT AND TROUBLE-SHOOTING, ENSURING THAT EACH CHILD RECEIVES ALL ENTITLEMENTS PRESCRIBED THROUGH FEDERAL MANDATES. THE ADVOCATE ALSO COORDINATES THE BRIGHT SPACE, LITERACY, AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENT FAMILIES. DRUEDING CENTER HOSTS TWO VOLUNTEER-RUN, STAFF-SUPERVISED TUTORING PROGRAMS: (A) "HOMEWORK CLUB", A DROP-IN PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE WITH THEIR HOMEWORK; AND, (B) "HOMEWORK HELPERS" DEEPENS THE CONNECTION TUTORS MAKE WITH OUR CHILDREN BY PAIRING AN INDIVIDUAL TUTOR AND CHILD FOR WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSONS. THE PROGRAM'S SUCCESS OFTEN RESULTS IN VISIBLE IMPROVEMENT ON THE NEXT REPORT CARD.(5) LIFE SKILLS - A LIFE COACH WORKS WITH EACH NEW RESIDENT TO FORMULATE AN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT READINESS PLAN. WE EVALUATE THE NEEDS BASED ON THE CAREER SCOPE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS WITH ON-SITE OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING COMPUTER LITERACY, WORKPLACE SKILLS, AND LIFE SKILLS CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS. BASIC LIFE SKILLS ARE OFTEN IMPORTANT AREAS OF GROWTH FOR ONCE HOMELESS MOTHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. WITH EACH NEW RESIDENT FAMILY, WE IDENTIFY NEEDS AND DEVISE STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THEM SUCH AS DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A HOUSEHOLD BUDGET. THE LIFE COACH ALSO WORKS WITH INDIVIDUAL MOTHERS ON NEW APPROACHES TO EVERYDAY TOPICS SUCH AS NUTRITION, FOOD SHOPPING, AND CLEANING, AND A LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOP SERIES IS OFFERED TO ALL RESIDENT FAMILIES. IN FY 20, THERE WERE 7 GROUP SESSION WITH RESIDENTS.(6) PARENTING SKILLS - OUR FAMILY CARE GROUP IS GUIDED BY A TRAUMA INFORMED CURRICULUM BASED ON ATTACHMENT THEORY AND THE EFFECTIVE BLACK PARENTING (EBPP) COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PROGRAM. SIX WEEKS OF CONVERSATIONS ARE FRAMED AROUND THEMES EMERGING FROM THE CURRICULUM, WITH THE REMAINING TWO TO FOUR WORKSHOPS DEDICATED TO TOPICS OF THE GROUP'S CHOOSING. FAMILY CARE SEEKS TO FOSTER EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, FAMILY IDENTITY IN AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CONTEXT, WHILE ADDRESSING CHILD ABUSE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, GANG VIOLENCE, LEARNING DISORDERS, BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS, AND EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES. FAMILY CARE IS OFFERED THREE TO FOUR TIMES A YEAR BY IN HOUSE STAFF SPECIFICALLY TRAINED IN THE FAMILY CARE CURRICULUM.(7) GREEN LIGHT FOOD PANTRY - A PROGRAM OFFERED TO OUR RESIDENTS, GRADUATES AND THE COMMUNITY. DRUEDING CENTER'S GREEN LIGHT PANTRY EXCLUSIVELY FEATURES INVENTORY CATEGORIZED AS "GREEN LIGHT FOODS" UNDER A SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY THE GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK, AND RANKINGS ARE BASED USDA'S DIETARY GUIDELINES AND NUTRITIONAL FACTS LABELS. FAMILIES ARE ALLOWED TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN FOOD. AMONG THE SELECTION: LOW-FAT MILK AND YOGURT; FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES; LEAN PROTEINS, SUCH AS CANNED SALMON, FROZEN CHICKEN, FRESH EGGS, AND BEANS WITH NO SALT ADDED, AND WHOLE-GRAIN PASTA AND FRESH BREAD. IN FY 20 A TOTAL OF 185 FAMILIES WERE SERVED THROUGH MONTHLY VISITS TO THE PANTRY. THERE WERE 1,707 PANTRY VISITS AND 69,987 LBS OF HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD WAS DISTRIBUTED.

YOUTH SERVICES - TO EFFECTIVELY END THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS, WE MUST INVEST TIME AND ENERGY IN OUR CHILDREN. DRUEDING CENTER'S CHILD CARE PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMMING, BEGINNING WITH INFANTS AS YOUNG AS SIX WEEKS IN OUR: (1) CHILDCARE CENTER AND CONTINUING THROUGH AGE 12 IN OUR (2) AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM. THE CHILD CARE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO OUR RESIDENT FAMILIES AS WELL AS FAMILIES FROM THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. IN FY 20, THE PROGRAM SERVED A TOTAL OF 80 CHILDREN. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ALL IN PERSON PROGRAMMING ACTIVITIES AND GROUPS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES HOME VISITS WERE HALTED IN MARCH 2020. IN ADDITION, THE CHILD CARE CENTER WAS CLOSED FROM MARCH 16 THROUGH JUNE 15, 2020 DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.(1) CHILDCARE CENTER - THE LACK OF SAFE, QUALITY CHILDCARE IS A MAJOR BARRIER TO SINGLE PARENTS WHO NEED A JOB AND STEADY INCOME TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. DRUEDING CENTER PROVIDES PROFESSIONALLY STAFFED, DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE CHILDCARE, LICENSED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. ALL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ARE BASED ON THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM AND DESIGNED TO PROMOTE COGNITIVE, LINGUISTIC, SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT BASED ON THE THEORIES OF JEAN PLAGET AND ERIK ERICKSON.(2) AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM - OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM ENSURES A CONTINUUM OF ENRICHING ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL DAY AND ALL YEAR LONG FOR CHILDREN LIVING AT DRUEDING CENTER. WHILE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION, CHILDREN ARE ACCOMPANIED FROM SCHOOL TO THE PROGRAM, WHICH RUNS UNTIL 6 PM EVERY WEEKDAY. DURING HOLIDAYS AND SUMMER VACATION, WE OFFER A FULL-DAY AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM. SCHOOL YEAR ACTIVITIES FOCUS ON: NUTRITIONAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS; EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS, SUCH AS LIBRARY VISITS AND SESSIONS ON COMPUTER LITERACY; AND, TRIPS TO LEADING CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS. THERAPISTS DEEPEN THE PRESCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM THROUGH WEEKLY PATHS ACTIVITY GROUPS TO SUPPORT ENHANCED EMOTIONAL AWARENESS AND INTERPERSONAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS, BACKED-UP BY TEACHER-LED ACTIVITIES. OUR TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOL CHILDREN HAVE SHOWN AN INCREASED ABILITY TO IDENTIFY THEIR FEELINGS AND FIND APPROPRIATE WAYS OF EXPRESSING THEIR EMOTIONS. THE CENTER IS ACCREDITED BY NAEYC (THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN) AND HAS RECEIVED 4A KEYSTONE STARS (THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE DESIGNATION) FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EARLY LEARNING.

COMMUNITY SERVICES - THE FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED: (1) HOUSING ASSISTANCE, (2) AFTER CARE CASE MANAGEMENT, (3) BLUEPRINT CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, AND (4) NEW NEIGHBORS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM.(1) HOUSING ASSISTANCE - WHATEVER CHALLENGES THEY MAY FACE, EVERY FAMILY VIEWS INDEPENDENT LIVING AS THE ULTIMATE GOAL AND THE LEADING MEASURE OF SUCCESS. FROM RUNNING AN INITIAL CREDIT REPORT AND HELPING EACH MOTHER CLEAN UP PAST PROBLEMS, TO EVENTUALLY PLACING FAMILIES IN SAFE, AFFORDABLE, CONVENIENT HOUSING, DRUEDING CENTER CALLS ON OUR VAST ARRAY OF PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS TO OPEN DOORS. WE ASSIST RESIDENTS WITH ALL THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK AND APPLICATION FORMS.WE HAVE DEVELOPED SPECIALIZED RESOURCES, SUCH AS A HOUSING BULLETIN BOARD AND A HOUSING RESOURCE BOOK, WHICH FEATURES THE LATEST LISTINGS AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT HOME OWNERSHIP.(2) AFTER CARE CASE MANAGEMENT - WHETHER FAMILIES ARE HERE FOR AN AVERAGE OF 13 MONTHS OR THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE STAY OF 24 MONTHS, THEY OFTEN NEED MORE TIME TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES THAT BROUGHT THEM TO DRUEDING CENTER IN THE FIRST PLACE. THAT IS WHY WE STAND APART IN OFFERING A VOLUNTARY AFTER CARE PROGRAM THAT CAN LAST UP TO SEVEN ADDITIONAL YEARS. OVER THIS TIME, WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MOTHERS AND CHILDREN IN REACHING THEIR GOALS AND ADDRESSING PAST TRAUMA, SO THEY MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. DRUEDING CENTER'S AFTER CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES: (A) ONGOING CASE MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING GOAL PLANNING, BUDGETING, TIME MANAGEMENT, LIFE SKILLS, AND PARENTING SKILLS; (B) REFERRALS FOR JOB TRAINING, CONTINUING EDUCATION, CHILDCARE, AND LEGAL ISSUES; (C) INFORMATION ABOUT RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS IN FAMILIES' NEW COMMUNITIES; (D) REFERRALS TO OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES WHEN APPROPRIATE; (E) ADVOCACY TO ASSIST WITH LANDLORD DISPUTES, SUBSIDIZED HOUSING, SOCIAL SECURITY, CHILD SUPPORT, AND MENTAL HEALTH; AND, (F) CONTINUED ACCESS TO DRUEDING CENTER'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, INCLUDING COUNSELING, CHILDCARE, THE LEARNING CENTER, AND SPECIAL EVENTS. IN FY 20, 121 FAMILIES WERE SERVED IN AFTER CARE AND 84% WHO WERE ABLE WERE WORKING, IN SCHOOL OR ENROLLED IN A PROGRAM. 85% (NOT INCLUDING DATA FROM PANDEMIC) OF THOSE EMPLOYED MAINTAINED THEIR EMPLOYMENT FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS. 87% OF THOSE IN AFTER CARE MAINTAIN PERMANENT HOUSING FOR THREE YEARS. A TOTAL OF 206 HOME VISITS WERE CONDUCTED AND AN ADDITIONAL 390 CONTACTS WERE MADE WITH FAMILIES.(3) BLUEPRINT CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - THE BLUEPRINT CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IS A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA AND THE PHILADELPHIA HOUSING AUTHORITY. BASED ON OUR TRACK RECORD AND CAPACITY TO DELIVER EXCELLENT SERVICES, IN 2010 THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA'S OFFICE OF HOMELESS SERVICES AWARDED DRUEDING CENTER OUR FIRST CONTRACT TO PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR ONE YEAR TO AN ADDITIONAL 150 FORMERLY HOMELESS FAMILIES PER YEAR. IN FY 20, DRUEDING CENTER SERVED A TOTAL OF 151 FAMILIES THROUGH 249 HOME VISITS AND AN ADDITIONAL 1,127 CONTACTS.(4) NEW NEIGHBORS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM - FAMILIES WITH AT LEAST ONE FAMILY MEMBER WITH A DOCUMENTED DISABILITY RECEIVE A RENTAL SUBSIDY, HOUSING COUNSELING AND CASE MANAGEMENT THROUGH CONTRACTS WITH HUD AND OHS. IN FY 20, THERE WERE 159 HOME VISITS, 43 OFFICE VISITS, AND AN ADDITIONAL 390 CONTACTS WITH FAMILIES.

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