We have sixteen core programs that attempt to fill the gaps in New Castle County’s homeless service network. These are broken into the following programs.
Our Clothing Bank of Delaware ministry has continued to grow as a clothing resource for the community, as an employment opportunity, and as a vehicle through which a large coalition of community organizations can collaborate in service. A core ministry of Friendship House, the Clothing Bank of Delaware has three primary missions. First, it serves as a location for collecting and distributing donated clothing and a delivery service to those community agencies in direct contact with individuals and families in need. Second, it provides entry level employment and training to women re-entering the work force. Third, it creates volunteer opportunities for churches, businesses and community organizations. Learn more by going to our Clothing Bank of Delaware page.
Friendship House operates eleven houses for motivated men and women, with or without children, who are looking to re-establish themselves as independent, self-supporting members of our society able to assume their responsibilities to their families, co-workers and friends. These transitional housing programs are designed to support men and women who are serious about making changes in their lives. Many individuals come to us directly from drug/alcohol rehabilitation programs, prison, and even domestic violence shelters. The program operates in three stages and offers up to one year of transitional housing and programming. To learn more, visit our Transitional Housing page.
Our day centers offer a wide variety of services that focus on empowering individuals who feels lost, displaced, or powerless. An open door when most others are closed, these Friendship House ministries offer the homeless daytime sanctuary and vital survival services. As a referral and screening source for more than twenty-five churches, the three day centers are a life line for individuals and families at risk of losing their housing. They also serve as empowerment centers where motivated homeless clients receive the professional case-management, the communal support and the financial resources that they require to rebuild their lives. For more information and to learn how to receive services, visit our Day Ministry page.
In addition, we also offer several other program to fill the holes for those we served. We host a Sunday Breakfast in St Andrew and Matthew Episcopal Church. In addition, with the help of our volunteers, we host dinner every night for the men in Andrew’s Place, our stage one of transitional housing. Volunteers also bring dinner to our women in our stage one housing, Epiphany House, Sunday – Friday. From November – March we offer our Winter Sanctuary Program which allows a safe warm place for people to be when the weather is cold and/ or wet. To find out more about these programs or to volunteer, visit our Additional Programs page.
