Visitation House Ministries

Transitional Housing & Education Program:Visitation House Ministries Transitional Housing and Education Programs offer resources, services, and opportunities for economically vulnerable women and their children. Through its programs, Visitation House Ministries focuses on the cycle of poverty resulting from limited education, which in turn limits opportunities for earning a living wage and leads to homelessness and family disintegration. The Transitional Housing component offers a two-year residential program that provides stability for homeless single mothers with young children and assists them in gaining the education and skills needed to move out of homelessness into permanent housing and sustainable economic independence. All families receive intensive (weekly/daily) support services, including case management and referrals, life skills training, counseling, educational tutoring and academic advisement. In 2023, Visitation House Ministries provided transitional housing, education and comprehensive support services for five (5) homeless families consisting of five (5) adults and nine (7) children for a total of 4,380 days in residence. The transitional housing program is designed to bring about transformational change. Our goal is not limited to providing social services and subsidized housing, but to offer the support necessary to help women make changes in their lives that will move them towards self-sufficiency. It challenges their internal motivation - believing that further education and a better job are not impossible dreams - and then offers them the resources and encouragement to achieve those dreams.Each mom pursued a distinctive education goal, particular to her level of education attainment. During the Spring and Fall semesters of 2023, program participants attended San Antonio College (SAC), and one participant continued working towards earning her GED. These women are the first- generation students. All program participants maintained part-time employment. The women attending SAC received Pell grants that covered their tuition and books. Participants who have income pay a minimal rent up to 30% of their part-time earnings minus deductions for the number of children. Four participants were able to pay the highly subsidized rent and utilities. One participant was under the support of our programming while working towards her GED and looking for employment.When participants are able to pay for utilities, the bill is placed in their name. This is part of the program in helping participants develop budgeting skills and build their credit. Visitation House Ministries, through its donors, supplied the families with hygiene and cleaning products that they could not purchase with their SNAP benefits. Program participants received weekly case management and referrals as necessary and weekly virtual individual counseling. Medicaid covered the childrens health needs and the case manager referred the adults to area clinics that care for uninsured patients. Participants also received assistance with health-related costs such as eye and dental care. A key element of the transitional housing program is Children Enrichment Program. Over 38 years of professional experience has taught us that the children will be the change agents to break generational cycles of poverty and/or homelessness. An important part of our Childrens Program is our After-School Program. The goal of the program is to address and mitigate factors that place the children at risk of poor academic outcomes. These factors include migration from school to school and high rates of absenteeism due to financial barriers, residential instability and family violence. The after-school coordinator is a paid internship earning a degree a Psychology. The latter carries out the daily work of providing academic, inspirational and motivational support for the children. We were able to welcome volunteers to assist with the after-school enrichment program.In 2023, five school aged children participated in the afterschool program. Each child received approximately 2-3 hours a week of one-on-one tutoring with a focus on reading and math. The children experienced improvement in one or more subject areas, citizenship, and/or higher attendance. Those that were non-school age participated, as their schedule permits, in activities that were non-academic e.g. creative projects, play and educational games, and story time. Donated Services(In-Kind) for 2023 amounted to $12,593.

Outreach Education Program(Adult Learning Center);Supportive Services Program:The Outreach Education Program (Adult Learning Center) offers GED classes in Spanish and English and ESL (English as a second language) classes to Hispanic women and Spanish-speaking immigrant women. The goal of the Outreach Education Program (Adult Learning Center) is to give women both the tools and the confidence to take the next step in their advancement. Earning a GED is a launching pad for getting into college or earning an advance certification in a profession, finding employment or getting a promotion. Whatever their personal goals may be, earning a GED will ultimately empower them to pursue a better quality of life for their families. Effective May 31, 2023, the board of directors voted to conclude the Outreach Education Program (Adult Learning Center) due to lack of participation.VHM began the Supportive Services Program in September with the goal to provide support to women in the community. This program extends our nonresidential support services to the larger population of low-income women in the San Antonio community. In collaboration with a local affordable housing program, we offer a ten-week program that aids economically vulnerable single mothers. During this period, participants receive case management support and resources focused on education and the workforce. The women set goals based on the individual needs they can achieve within the period, such as working on attaining a higher level of education, exploring career opportunities, budget building, creating healthy habits, or developing life skills, leading to stability to support their families.Four women participated in the program from September-December and completed goals such as enrolling in school, developing healthy relationships, financial literacy and prioritizing their mental health.100% of Housing Program participants experience changes in their lives that are moving them to self-sufficiency.100% of children experience residential stability, a nurturing environment and educational support. 100% of Supportive Service participants experienced improved confidence in their abilities to navigate their own self-identified goals for educational and professional growth.ConclusionWe are reminded of the mission of Visitation House Ministries to meet the needs of economically vulnerable women and their children. Visitation House Ministries continues to transition due to operational changes. The programs continue to be evaluated and continue to adjust to respond more effectively to current needs. Board and staff continue to work on developing plans for the future growth and development of the Visitation House Ministries. Visitation House Ministries Core Tenets Throughout this planning process, leadership worked to identify the ministrys Core Tenets, which help define VHM and its approach to ministry. The vision and strategy that results from this planning process should carefully consider these core tenets as guideposts for any future form this ministry may take. We believe in the power of co-ministry; as we work to serve the women of Visitation House Ministries, we learn from them and are transformed with them. We are a community, not an agency; we offer hospitality and housing to women with children who are ready and willing to make a sustainable change. Education is foundational to sustainable change, but not sufficient. Families need access to a broad menu of social services, navigation support and time to make lasting changes. Homelessness among families is a solvable problem. Women with children are the most motivated to make a sustainable change and can do so with the right resources, support and time. Our culture, programming, services and network support women in the creation of stable and loving homes for their children. We are most effective when we work with women who are willing and ready to make a change. When our expectations are high, women rise to meet them. We are demanding because we care and because it works. We are small in size, independent and non-bureaucratic, which allows us the freedom to create deep and long-lasting relationships with those we serve and to respond nimbly and effectively to the needs we see. We are part of a vast network of committed people, programs and resources that, when leveraged effectively, strengthen our ministry and those we serve. To be a sustainable ministry, we must have more than a financial plan. We must also have the skills and ability to set the right direction, make good decisions, provide valued services, grow and offer an excellent ministry. The spirituality and charism of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word are foundational to the relationships we forge and all that we do.Donated Services(In-Kind) for 2023 amounted to $0.