Transitional Housing
Family Friend Outreach was founded as a Wichita, KS based not for profit 501(c)(3) organization. The nonprofit will serve Veteran clients in need of transitional housing and life skills training.
Our company is based on the belief that our Veterans' needs are of the utmost importance. Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business will be from referrals.
The issue of homelessness among U.S. Military Veterans is one that has been getting much attention over the past decade, with much discussion about the causes, effect, and solutions to this problem. However, there has been very little governmental or institutional progress toward a satisfactory resolution. It is a tragedy that by some estimates, at least 30% of the homeless population in this country are veterans. Sedgwick County has not been spared the problem of homelessness and Family Friend Outreach will take specific actions to assist in helping these homeless vets.
Family Friend Outreach is a not for profit organization incorporated under the laws of the state of Kansas. Its purpose is to promote the homeless and veteran's affairs, give service to the community, and to provide assistance to those women, veterans and all the homeless who have temporarily lost the ability to manage their lives successfully. Since its founding in 1996, FFO has served the community. Since 2008 FFO has been actively engaging itself in veterans' and the homeless assistance activities and has established a reputation as a dynamic and purposeful organization.
"VETERANS HELPING VETERANS"
The Transitional Facility will be a temporary shelter for the homeless and all Veterans. The purpose of the Facility is to provide for the immediate needs of the homeless and all Veterans while permitting them to search for work, and once employed, to save enough money to acquire living quarters and transportation. The Facility consists of three rooms on the main floor and later we'll add four rooms in the basement, which can accommodate up to eleven residents. In addition to the living areas there is a day room, a kitchen for preparing meals, and a storeroom for storing food and other supplies.
The Requirements for admission into the Facility Are:
1. Be a Veteran or the immediate family of a vet and be able to prove it.
2. Be indigent or be able to demonstrate a valid need for assistance.
3. Be Drug and Alcohol free.
4. Be able to care for one's own personal needs.
5. If not a Veteran, be homeless.
"Operations"
The clients under Family Friend Outreach’s care are physically and mentally capable of evacuating the facility unassisted, do not require routine attendance during sleeping hours, and are capable of following directions in an emergency; therefore the staff consists only of the general manager and one assistant manager. Everyone else is an outsourced/contract social worker or home health attendant, which helps keep operations lean and profitable.
Residents are provided with all personal items including clothing, if that is necessary. During their stay at the facility they are required to search for work and to obtain employment within a reasonable length of time. They are also required to assist in maintaining the Facility.
Rooms are inspected regularly to insure that residents maintain a reasonable living standard. The Facility maintains contact with Kansas Job Links and local businesses in an effort to assist residents in finding employment.
Residents with substance abuse problems are required to participate in AA meetings and also in counseling sessions provided by a Veterans Administration counselor. Residents who need other social services are referred to the proper agency within the county.
Residents needing health treatment and/or Substance Abuse help, are transported to the Wichita Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic at 5500 E Kellogg Dr. Wichita, KS 67218 and Knox Center Inc., 2924 E Douglas Ave Wichita KS 67214, Substance Abuse Center, by the Transportation Services van that is operated by Family Friend Outreach.
Residents who must apply to the Veterans Administration for disabilities or pensions are referred to the Sedgwick County Veteran's Service Office or to one of the many veterans organizations who maintain service officers within their organizations. "Residents live at the Facility in a controlled environment"
"FUNDING"
The current cost for maintaining the Facility will be about $250,000.00 per year. Funding sources will include funding through Community Based Organizations programs, grants and donations from corporations and small businesses, and donations of cash and material through private individuals.
Support is needed for this worthwhile program. We have shown that there is a need in the community to provide Women and all Veterans and their families with a program such as this and without your support it cannot be. Any organization wishing to donate money, material, clothing, food, or services is welcome.
We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry. As of now our office is at
4507 Vesta Dr.
Wichita, KS. 67208
We are looking for donations in the form of food, clothing, toothpaste/toothbrushes, washer/dryer, tables/chairs and will be applying for grants to fund a 36 bed facility, so that we can service our Homeless Veteran Community.