Tacoma Housing Pilot Provides Additional Support
Pioneer’s housing programs offer support and stability for individuals and families. Our development team initiated a fund raising campaign at our past Change Maker event to support a pilot project called Tacoma Integrated Services in our clean and sober housing facilities. The pilot project serves men and women who are released from prison to help them become self-sufficient and build their relationships with their children. Statistics show 1 in 28 children have a parent in prison and this pilot gives us the opportunity to work with specific residents to create stability in their life and work towards family reunification.
Bernie Tiffany, Pioneer Property Manager, stated, “This is a wonderful use of our donor funds to support the myriad of barriers that our residents face when transitioning back into the community. It’s amazing how intensive case management, rent subsidies, furniture and household supply donations can make a positive difference in someone’s outlook on life.”
A big shout out to Israel Perez, Tacoma housing coordinator, and Tina Childers, vocational case manager, for their hard work and devotion to the pilot program. Both of them displayed an amazing example of Pioneer’s core values that include: Respect, Accountability, Positive Change, Innovation, Relationships and Balance. Their services helped lay the foundation for the pilot and produce the first two graduates in April 2017.
When asked about the pilot, Tina Childers said, “I feel privileged to work with Israel on this pilot. He is such a superman who works tirelessly and selflessly to provide the Pioneer residents and their families with the services they need. He is an example of one the most kind and compassionate professional’s that everyone should aspire to become in the social service industry.”
Many of Pioneer’s housing residents who were incarcerated are likely to struggle with substance use disorders, mental health issues, and lack of basic education and job skills. Criminogenic patterns are hard to break when options are limited so finding the best resources and channels to assist our residents is crucial.
“Tina’s compassion and concern for each resident, coupled with her community partnerships and knowledge of local resources that she has built-up over the years, has been instrumental to the successful transition of our housing residents. I am amazed by her ability to connect and truly listen to the needs of the residents and their families. She forms a motivating connection that serves as a vessel to self-empowerment and determination to be an active agent of change in improving their own situation,” Israel Perez added.
The Tacoma Integrated Services pilot supports the participants with subsidized rent for nine months, case management, job training, and support with basic needs including: furniture, bedding, dishes and cleaning supplies. By giving the residents the opportunity to have stable supportive housing while they transition into society, they can focus on employment opportunities and family reunification. The pilot project is helping Pioneer to better understand the specific needs of our clients and utilize evidence-based practices that focused on reducing recidivism and increasing family reunification in the Tacoma area. The goal is to have the opportunity to learn best practices from the program with a small population and eventually replicate the program across the state in other areas where Pioneer Human Services provides housing.
