FAMILIES FIRST ANNUAL UPDATE 2007 annual RePORt

HarbOUR HOUSE, New Bedford, MA
“Creating a Safe Harbor
for Homeless Families”
— Charles Huschle
Photo © Mercy Bell
In the spring of 2007, Families First began an intensive outreach effort to
widen the scope and impact of our programs. As a result, we began
working with the staff and residents of HarbOUR HOUSE, an emergency
family shelter in New Bedford, MA. Director Shelly Correia called our
Program Coordinator, Jessica Kirkpatrick, after receiving a Families First
mailing. “I want all your programs!” Correia said last summer. Since then,
we have provided 14 parenting workshops and five professional trainings,
and Ms. Correia is thrilled.
HarbOUR HOUSE is a 54-bed shelter with the capacity to serve 16 families.
The atmosphere at HarbOUR HOUSE is empowering and encouraging.
Upon arrival, every family meets with a shelter worker to create a selfsufficiency
plan, which includes setting goals for finding employment
and permanent housing. The staff is dedicated to increasing a family’s
sense of self-worth. They do this by treating everyone with dignity and
respect, and with sensitivity to cultural differences. Because of this
orientation and focus, HarbOUR HOUSE has embraced Families First’s
programs for its residents and staff.
HarbOUR HOUSE is a place that truly needs the support of community
based organizations and parenting education for its residents. While there
are a few married couples at HarbOUR HOUSE, most residents are single
mothers with infants and toddlers. Some are pregnant; some have lost
their spouses due to violence, drug abuse, or abandonment; some are in
recovery themselves. Living in a shelter is deeply challenging because of
the wide range of attitudes, values and opinions expressed by its diverse
population. Families feel alienated from society and are often recovering
from the impact of domestic violence or violence in their communities.
One mother reported “feeling like her parenting was on ‘hold’” while living
in the shelter.
Photo © Jurek Durczak
Parents and staff at HarbOUR HOUSE and Families First parenting
educators have found it hugely rewarding to participate in our parenting
workshops and professional trainings. This is work that is truly worthwhile
– strengthening these families who need our help the most. When we
finished our signature program, Love and Limits, one parent commented,
“I’ve learned a lot – I can’t wait to apply some of the techniques.” Another
said, “It helped me be more calm and patient and listen to and care about
my kids’ feelings.” One mother added, “I always learn something new.”
Families First will continue to expand our programs in southeastern
Massachusetts and looks forward to further developing our relationship
with HarbOUR HOUSE. In January 2008, our parenting educators will
meet to discuss the special needs of HarBOUR HOUSE in order to create
a thoughtful mission for our work there in the months to come.