Nothing can replace the support of a loved one
image by Michele Pevide, Canva Pro
Imagine the feeling of not being able to locate a loved one.
You haven’t seen your family member or friend in a while and have no way to find them. They’re out on the street somewhere — you think — but you don’t know where, and there’s no way to reach them. What are you left with? Feelings. Big, deep feelings: grief, confusion, anger, and worry.
Now imagine that someone can reunite you with your loved one. That’s us, the Weingart Center.
Whenever possible, our reunification services help put family and friends back together, relieving anxiety for both parties.
How it works
Our Reunification Services fall within the scope of our Problem Solving Program and exemplify a pragmatic approach to ending homelessness.
Our Problem Solving Program team commits time and resources to help reconnect friends and families, doing so with the agreement and cooperation of the individuals experiencing homelessness. While some of these individuals are clients of the Weingart Center, others find their way to us via our Access Center or through referrals from various agencies.
Initiating contact, the team works to reforge connections between the individual and their family or friends, exploring opportunities for permanent housing. When there's a chance for such support, our team stays in touch with everyone involved and continues to manage the case until the individual is securely housed. The Weingart Center allocates a specific budget for these reunification efforts, covering costs like travel and meals to facilitate the reunion of loved ones.
Reunification may not be the best support route for every client within our programs. That’s why we ensure this approach is appropriate and beneficial for the clients it aims to serve, and that family and friends are willing and able to participate.
Why is reunification important?
The support of friends and family surpasses even the most robust homelessness services. As we all know, having people who care makes an incredibly positive impact on life. Loving, caring relationships are at the center of emotional, social, and financial support systems. That’s why, in our program, our case managers work with the loved ones of the client to develop an action plan that addresses specific issues that contribute to their situation in homelessness — like mental health issues, substance abuse, and unemployment. Aligning the case manager, client, and loved ones significantly increases the odds of success in our programs.
With a willing support system, reunification catalyzes transformative change. It paves the way for a more stable and supportive environment, laying a foundation for independence and self-fulfillment.
Our Reunification Services help to bring people back together. As such, they’re an essential part of our suite of programs, such as interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and our services and programs tailored to meet the individual needs of each person. All of our programs are designed to achieve one thing: ending the cycle of homelessness.
