The need is there. We’re here to help.
Weingart Center goes beyond the emergency shelter approach by coupling comprehensive wraparound services with personalized housing solutions.
As one of the best comprehensive human services organizations in the western United States, the Weingart Center is a unique agency that is committed to providing individuals experiencing homelessness with essential tools to stabilize their lives, secure income, and find permanent housing.
We do this by providing direct, comprehensive wraparound services that are tailored to an individual’s needs and are designed to break the cycle of homelessness. Whatever the obstacles—debt, addiction, a criminal record, mental illness, or physical illness—we help our clients overcome these challenges and clear the way for a fulfilling life.
ACCESS CENTER
The Access Center serves as a vital hub for individuals in Downtown Los Angeles who are either experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. As a walk-in facility, it offers an extensive range of services and referrals designed to provide immediate assistance and long-term support.
Key services include case management, comprehensive assessment (CES Survery), problem-solving services, reunification services, transportation assistance, dental referrals (USC Dental Clinic), mail services, and more. Clients also have access to various in-house programs and services such as emergency shelter, employment support, substance use groups, and educational opportunities. The center's reach extends further with referrals and connections to primary and mental health support, substance use treatment, benefits assistance, legal services, employment services, and housing solutions.
For more information or assistance, the Access Center can be contacted at (213) 833-5020, (213) 627-5302 (after hours), or via email at accesscenter1@weingart.org.
PROBLEM-SOLVING PROGRAM
The Problem-Solving Program is an innovative initiative in Los Angeles County, designed as a response to the homelessness crisis. Known in other areas as Diversion or Rapid Resolution, the program adopts a strength-based approach, focusing on problem-solving conversations to explore and utilize available resources for temporarily or permanently resolving homelessness situations.
The services offered under this program are twofold. Firstly, it provides various supportive services, including reunification assistance, conflict resolution and mediation with landlords, family, and friends, money management advice, and assistance with housing searches. These services are crucial in addressing the immediate challenges faced by those at risk of homelessness.
Secondly, the program offers limited financial assistance. This includes move-in assistance covering security deposits and first month's rent, furniture assistance, and relocation assistance. Relocation assistance is particularly notable as it can encompass the costs of a plane or bus ticket for individuals relocating to permanent housing placements outside Los Angeles County.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The Weingart Center's Clinical Services Department offers a comprehensive range of mental health services, focusing on individual needs and various challenges such as trauma, domestic violence, grief, loss, and substance abuse. These services are integral to the holistic well-being of the residents and are tailored to address both individual and group needs.
A clinical assessment is offered to all residents to identify their specific mental health needs and to formulate an appropriate treatment plan. This is followed by both individual and group counseling sessions. Individual therapy is flexible and accessible, ensuring that residents can receive mental health support in a manner that suits their circumstances.
The center also offers specialized group counseling sessions, including the Matrix Program, which is an outpatient substance abuse treatment program. This program provides an individualized treatment plan that aligns with each resident's personal goals. Group counseling within this program is conducted in person and is available five days a week, providing regular and consistent support.
Additionally, the center offers an Anger Management Group, a 12-week certification program facilitated by a clinician. This program is designed to help individuals manage and understand their anger, improving their overall mental health and interpersonal relationships.
MEDICAL & DENTAL SERVICES (partnerships)
Weingart Center provides comprehensive medical services (JWCH partnership)to its clients through direct referrals. This collaboration ensures access to a wide range of essential healthcare services, addressing various medical needs of the clients. Services offered include primary care and specialty care, which includes HIV/AIDS care, vision care, and dental care (USC Dental Clinic partnership).
An onsite pharmacy and medical clinic further enhance the accessibility and convenience of these services, ensuring clients have easy access to medical prescriptions and consultations.
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
The Weingart Center's educational services are designed to provide a broad spectrum of learning opportunities for adults seeking to enhance their education and skills. These services are fundamental in supporting personal and professional development, empowering individuals to achieve their educational goals.
The center's offerings include remedial education, addressing basic educational needs and bridging gaps in learning. Literacy training is a key component, focusing on improving reading and writing skills, which are essential for both personal development and employment opportunities. One-on-one tutoring is available, providing personalized attention and support to cater to individual learning styles and needs.
Additionally, vocational education is offered, equipping individuals with specific trade skills and knowledge, thus enhancing their employability and career prospects. In partnership with Five Keys, the Weingart Center expands its educational services to include programs for adults wishing to obtain their GED, HiSET, or High School Diploma. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive educational approach, allowing clients to pursue various academic achievements.
These educational services at the Weingart Center play a crucial role in fostering lifelong learning and skill development, opening doors to new opportunities, and contributing to the overall betterment of individuals' lives.
OPEN DOOR
The Open Door program at the Weingart Center is specifically designed to assist adults experiencing homelessness, offering tailored services under two categories: Crisis Housing/Bridge Housing and Enhanced Bridge Housing for Older Adults.
For Crisis Housing/Bridge Housing, the program is open to any adult aged 18 and over who is currently experiencing homelessness. Admission operates on a first-come, first-served basis, catering to those in immediate need. In contrast, the Enhanced Bridge Housing for Older Adults targets individuals aged 55 and above who are homeless, with referrals required from the LAHSA Matching Department, ensuring focused support for this demographic.
The Open Door program provides comprehensive services to aid in resolving homelessness. This includes problem-solving services and housing-focused case management, crucial for guiding residents toward stable living. The program facilitates access to various necessary services, offering referrals to onsite clinical, nursing, and educational services, as well as to offsite supportive services. These offsite services cover a broad range including healthcare, dental care, mental health support, substance use treatment, legal aid, and benefits assistance.
Additionally, the program offers transportation assistance, vital for enabling residents to access essential services and opportunities, and a savings program to aid in financial planning and management.
ENHANCED BRIDGE HOUSING FOR WOMEN
The Enhanced Bridge Housing for Women is a dedicated program at the Weingart Center designed to support adult women experiencing homelessness. This program is accessible to women aged 18 and over, focusing on providing tailored services that cater to their specific needs.
The core service offered is housing-focused case management, which is essential in guiding women towards stable and permanent housing solutions. In addition to this, the program offers life skills groups, helping women develop essential skills necessary for independent living.
Referrals to onsite services are a key aspect of the program, including access to clinical services, employment services, and housing services. The program also provides referrals to offsite supportive services covering a range of needs such as healthcare, mental health support, substance use treatment, legal aid, and benefits assistance.
Moreover, the program includes a savings program and transportation assistance, which are crucial in supporting women's journey toward financial stability and accessibility to various services.
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, INTERIM HOUSING
The Department of Mental Health Interim Housing program, managed by the Weingart Center, is a specialized service designed for adults aged 18 and over who are experiencing homelessness and are currently receiving mental health services through a contracted or directly operated provider of the Department of Mental Health (DMH).
The program offers a comprehensive array of services to support its clients. Housing-focused case management is a central aspect, guiding individuals through the complexities of finding and maintaining stable housing. In addition to this, life skills groups are provided, helping clients develop essential skills for independent living.
Clients have access to a variety of onsite services, including clinical services, employment services, and housing services. These resources are critical in providing holistic support and addressing the multifaceted needs of the clients. The program also facilitates referrals to offsite supportive services, covering a wide range of needs from healthcare and mental health support to substance use treatment, legal aid, and benefits assistance.
Additional features of the program include a savings program to assist with financial planning and stability, transportation assistance to ensure access to various services and opportunities, and mail services, which are particularly important for those without a stable address.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES, INTERIM HOUSING
The Department of Health Services (DHS) Interim Housing program, managed by the Weingart Center, is a vital transitional housing initiative aimed at assisting adults aged 18 and over who are experiencing homelessness, particularly those with mental and medical issues. This program plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between homelessness and stable living for individuals with complex health needs.
Eligibility for this program is focused on individuals experiencing homelessness who have been referred by the DHS Interim Housing Matching Department. This targeted approach ensures that the services are provided to those most in need of specialized support.
The program offers a range of services designed to facilitate the transition to stable housing and improved well-being. Central to these services is housing-focused case management, which guides clients through the process of securing and maintaining housing. Life skills groups are also a key component of the program, offered five days a week to equip clients with essential skills for daily living and independence.
Clients have access to various onsite services, including clinical services, employment services, and housing services. These are complemented by referrals to offsite supportive services, which cover a broad spectrum including healthcare, mental health support, substance use treatment, legal aid, and benefits assistance.
Additional features of the program include a savings program, transportation assistance, and mail services, all contributing to the comprehensive support offered to clients.
REENTRY PROGRAMS
1. Reentry Program - AB109
The AB109 Reentry Program, a partnership with the Los Angeles County Probation Department, is a 90-day transitional program aimed at assisting men and women under Post-Release Community Supervision (PCS). This program, requiring referral from Health Right 360, focuses on housing and employment assistance to prepare participants for successful community reentry. The program offers a 90-day stay, extendable based on need, and includes case management, referrals to onsite and offsite services (clinical, employment, housing, healthcare, etc.), a savings program, and transportation assistance.
2. Reentry Program - STOP
STOP (Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming) is designed for individuals under parole supervision, requiring referral from a parole officer or the Amity Foundation. This comprehensive program, with a maximum stay of 180 days (extendable), offers housing, education, vocational training, and job placement. Services include individual and group counseling, specialized groups for substance use and life skills, along with referrals to supportive services, a mandatory savings program, and transportation assistance.
3. Reentry Program - LTORR
LTORR (Long Term Offender Reentry Recovery Program) is a residential program for parolees, especially long-term offenders, referred by DAPO. With a stay of up to 180 days (extendable), it provides housing, meals, support services, and supervision in a drug-free environment. Services focus on employment training, stress management, victim awareness, literacy, life skills, and substance abuse education.
4. Reentry Program — B7 Bridge Housing
The B7 Bridge Housing Program offers temporary residence for adults exiting incarceration or awaiting court proceedings. It provides a bed, three daily meals, laundry facilities, case management, and resources for obtaining permanent housing.
Each program is uniquely designed to address the varied needs of individuals transitioning from incarceration, providing essential support for their reintegration into the community.