"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
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"To inspire and build hope for the future of our valley children and their mothers."
This is the vision for Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry's Hope For Tommorrow - to build supportive housing for homeless children and their mothers. We have seen an increasing number of homeless women and children come through our doors seeking assistance and shelter.
Through the generosity of a local family, land was donated to SVCM, allowing us the opportunity to plan and construct housing for homeless mothers and their children. |
Eight 1-bedroom apartments, and two 2-bedroom apartments have been built and have enabled us to house nine families, children and their mothers. There is also an on-site resident manager who occupies the tenth unit. There is a play area for the children.
The goal of this project is to help ensure the families we serve who complete the program are able to achieve self-sustainability. A growing problem in the eastern part of Buncombe County is the increasing number of homeless children. There are many reasons for their homelessness, but the end results are always the same - insecurity, lack of constant support by social services, poor nutrition, an uncertain future, poor medical support and interrupted educational opportunities to name a few.
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This ongoing program will have rotating clients each year. We work closely with Buncombe County Schools Homeless Liason to ensure that a viable partnership is developed for long-term strategies to address these problems. One of the other concerns in our area is the lack of affordable housing. Our clients recieve assistance in financial management so they will be able to save money and learn to budget by the completion of the program in order to be successful in finding long-term suitable housing. Because this is ongoing, support will come through our local churches, civic organizations, and individual donors.
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Also, we will depend on volunteers from our community to help with tutoring, mentoring and teaching some of the life skill classes. We will continue to collaborate with other non-profits in our area, churches, and community at large to ensure this program will assist families for generations to come.
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About the Program:
Under the supervision of a case manager who will assist each mother in her goal setting, the children will attend public schools, and receive tutoring and mentoring, Mothers will receive support and education in life skills conducted by other non-profit groups, church groups, and individuals. These life skills classes will include nutrition and healthy eating classes through Bounty and Soul; Budgeting classes through On-Track Financial Management;
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the development of personalized long-term goals with a case manager; self-esteem, parenting, and individual and family counseling through Black Mountain Counseling Center; career building classes and, when appropriate, enrollment in our AB Tech GED Program; and support from our churches. SVCM Scholarships will be available to any of the mothers wishing to take classes at AB Tech toward a degree or a certificate program.
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