From its first night of operation, Good Shepherd’s Night Shelter has set itself apart through its emphasis on working with guests to identify and overcome obstacles to securing and retaining housing. A full-time Case Manager/Housing Specialist assists guests, with particular attention to homeless families, in setting and reaching such goals as ensuring continuity of children’s schooling, re-establishing or increasing household income, and identifying affordable housing opportunities.

Good Shepherd Center implements one transitional living center, an 18-month program that offers homeless veterans with a history of substance abuse an important combination of housing and supportive services.

Residents live in a therapeutic community setting, working first and foremost to maintain their sobriety and attending on-site individual and group counseling sessions, as well as community AA/NA meetings.

They also work toward employment and educational goals, volunteering at Good Shepherd and elsewhere in the community until securing full-time employment. The overarching goal is for residents to graduate from the program confident in their sobriety, continuing to work and moving to independent housing in the community.

The Sgt. Eugene Ashley Memorial Center provides transitional housing to as many as 23 homeless veterans at any
one time.