Our organization has grown a small maternity home housing 6 women to a comprehensive transitional housing program serving the needs of 43 homeless women and children at a time.  Lamb’s Fold was recently selected to receive HUD funding to expand our program to serve an additional 12 women and children, which increases our number of beds to 43 women and children.   We have offered transitional housing services since 1995, serving about 3,800 women and children during that time---offering food, shelter, clothing, counseling, recovery classes, personal care items, access to medical care, transportation aid, advocacy services, employment services, educational and vocational training, and more.  77% of women who complete the LFWC program are able to achieve long-term self-sufficiency. 

Lamb’s Fold Women’s Center is strongly focused on helping women to increase their opportunities for better jobs, better housing, and better lives.   We are a program that educates, trains, and brings women to self-sufficiency.

Statistics

National
According to data from the National Coalition for the Homeless Fact Sheet (April 1999), "A 1990 Ford Foundation study found that 50% of homeless women and children were fleeing abuse (Zorza, 1991)". The National Coalition for the Homeless Fact Sheet #7 (February 1999) tells us that "The fastest growing segment of the homeless population is families with children. Families with children constitute approximately 40% of people who become homeless...(Shinn and Weitzman, 1996)."

Local
1990 census data for Will County reports: 3,650 female-headed families, of which 32.5% are living below poverty level. Of these 3,650 families, 1,119 have children under 18 years; 643 have children under 5 years.

• The Joliet/Will County Continuum of Care has identified the immediate need for additional transitional beds for families.
• Fleeing domestic violence/abuse continues to be the #1 reason for women and their children to become homeless.
• Children who have been victimized by abuse need violence prevention intervention to break the cycle of abuse and decrease their potential to become perpetrators of abuse as adults.

Facts of Life in Will and Surrounding Counties:

1. Single mothers typically have difficulty "making ends meet" financially due to high expenses. Many times this is combined with lower incomes and limited job training.
2. Childcare costs are high: Typical for one infant is $200/week.
3. Rents are high: Typical for rent large enough to accommodate children is $900/month.

Homeless women lack the resources to secure permanent housing; they usually settle for low-income housing which exacerbates their hopeless situation. Additionally, there is a shortage of affordable permanent housing in Will County. If they are to be helped, they require assistance to secure permanent housing. This will eliminate the need for public assistance and promote community well-being.