Solutions at Work: Understanding Homelessness

"If you provide the resources that an individual needs to work and live productively, you provide a real opportunity for self-sufficiency. Every person we help move out of homelessness reaffirms this powerful truth," says Macy DeLong, founder of Solutions at Work, an organization that facilitates a permanent transition out of homelessness for the population of Cambridge, MA.

Led and run by currently and formerly homeless individuals, Solutions at Work can attribute much of its success not only to hard work and dedication, but also to an institutional understanding of what it means to be homeless and what it takes to transition into a more stable situation. Since its founding in 1989, Solutions at Work has helped more than 75,000 people move permanently out of homelessness-a significant achievement given that one-fifth of people who have previously lived in shelters return to them.

In 2001 Solutions at Work won the Dr. Joseph H. Brenner Leadership Award from the Community Legal Services Counseling Center and the Small Business of the Year Award from the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. In addition, DeLong was presented the Cambridge YWCA "Tribute to Outstanding Women" award in September 2001.

The Limitations of Shelter Services

Although there are shelters that provide transitional services to the approximately 8,000 homeless in the Greater Boston area, the services offered by Solutions at Work are unique. Its staff understands what it is to be homeless, and therefore, appreciates the importance of individualizing solutions. In many homeless shelters, clients are treated uniformly, with little variation in the services provided to men, women, youth, families, or the mentally ill. On entering Solutions at Work, however, the first question asked is, "What do you need to get your life back?" followed by, "Do you want to work?" Solutions helps its clients find the job, clothing, or apartment and develop the skills that they need to get back on their feet.

Solutions at Work: Programs and Services

While Solutions at Work offers diverse counseling services, it largely functions through several major programs that address the particular needs of the homeless. Employment is a significant challenge for transitioning people who want and need to work, but how many employers will consider a candidate with no resume, no references, no address, and dirty clothes? Solutions at Work programs provide employment and skills development for people who are or have been homeless.

In 2001 eight people with histories of homelessness were employed in six permanent staff positions. Solutions also offered temporary labor to 28 homeless people and provided longer-term transitional employment and job skills development to 22 people transitioning out of homelessness. At the end of the year, 10 individuals moved into mainstream employment, one went on to higher education, and eight continued with Solutions at Work.

Another substantial part of Solutions' efforts is concentrated in two programs: The Cambridge Furniture Bank and Moving Up. The Cambridge Furniture Bank collects and recycles good quality used furniture, appliances, and household items and gives them to families and individuals who are moving out of homelessness and into housing. During 2001 932 individuals and 27 corporations donated furniture and household goods, clothing, and supplies, which the Cambridge Furniture Bank then distributed to 575 households. Moving Up is a below-cost moving service primarily for the elderly, people with disabilities, and those living with HIV/AIDS. Solutions also provided relocation services to 78 families and individuals who could not afford the cost of a traditional moving company.

Four additional programs round out the services offered by Solutions:

• The Children's Clothing Exchange. provides a barter system where families can trade for the clothing they need. For example, one family may trade an eight-year-old's winter clothes for a ten-year-old's summer wear while another family may exchange a child's sandals and shorts for long pants and a down jacket. Those with nothing to trade are asked to sign up to do volunteer work, or, if volunteer work is not possible, they are asked to do something somewhere else in the community. In 2001 985 families clothed 1,500 children through the Exchange.
  
• Wheels. This program matches functional, donated cars with people who need a car to access jobs, housing, and services. Solutions matched nine cars with new owners in 2001.
  
• Get Connected. As Solutions' computer training center, Get Connected allows people to access e-mail and increase their computer skills. Using the time and skills of one graduate of the transitional employment program, Solutions was also able to distribute refurbished, donated computers to 27 people.
  
• Speak Up. This advocacy program is designed to develop or expand leadership skills among homeless and formerly homeless people so they may advocate for themselves about the issues that most affect them. In 2001, members made 23 presentations to local groups about homelessness; seven members attended and made presentations at the annual National Low Income Housing Coalition Conference; 28 people participated in legislative advocacy; and 280 homeless voters were registered.

Finally, even though Solutions is organized around these specific programs, it is also available for those seeking general assistance. In 2001 Solutions staff provided more than 1,000 people with information, referrals, and short-term counseling. In addition, they provided 88 voice-mail boxes to homeless people.

A Model for the Future

Solutions at Work is not a shelter, meals, or job skills program. Rather, Solutions' counseling focuses on employment and life skills training. Clients learn how to get and keep a job, how to manage money, and how to stay away from drugs and alcohol. Solutions provides meaningful jobs that allow people to directly and positively impact others. The organization has helped thousands of people bridge the gap to self-sufficiency using a unique approach that brings real solutions to the challenges of transitioning from homelessness to a more stable environment.


For more information, contact: Macy DeLong, Founder and Executive Director, Solutions at Work, (617) 492-0300, macydelong@hotmail.com