A coalition of concerned individuals, faith groups, businesses and agencies committed to solving Charlotte’s homeless crisis have developed a practical solution called WISH – Workforce Initiative for Supportive Housing, a collaborative project of Crisis Assistance Ministry, Lutheran Family Services, Goodwill Industries, A Way Home, and referring partner agencies WISH partners with working poor families who are homeless or are near homeless to empower them to step up and out of the vicious cycle of poverty.  This goal is accomplished through a phased, incentive-based program to provide a second chance to those families committed to living independent, responsible, and productive lives. 

Each “step” in the WISH process involves client responsibility and action but the next step rewards the family with a supportive service to empower them toward self-sufficiency.  Supportive steps are earned not provided upfront or randomly.  The cornerstone of WISH’s stepped empowerment program is the holistic and intensive social work provided by Lutheran Family Services (LFS).  Most experts agree that what drives fragile families to self-sufficiency are empowerment steps, supportive services and intensive social work.  Our rental, transportation, and connectivity subsidies are selected supportive "steps" which motivate and reward patterns of behavior that lead to fiscal responsibility, healthy relationships, and spiritual growth.

The strength and innovation of WISH lies in collaboration. No new agencies have been created. Instead, skills of existing agencies are combined with funding from public/private partnerships and relationships with local landlords who have vacant apartments to offer. The result is a web of sustained support wrapped around each WISH family to empower them to achieve long-term self-sufficiency.

Investing in WISH gives people A Way Home.  Homelessness costs us all – in lost productivity, health care, law enforcement and social services expenses. Potentially homeless people need intensive, sustained services to avoid falling prey to future cycles of need. Investing in WISH gives working poor people a chance to succeed. The cost of WISH is $7,500 per family per year – a small price to pay for hope and self-sufficiency. 

Collaborative – A partnership among Crisis Assistance Ministry, Lutheran Family Services, A Way Home, Goodwill Industries and referring partner agencies.

Asset Based – Combines the competencies of existing social services agencies, the charitable intent of faith groups, and the willingness of landlords to offer vacant properties at below-market rates. Working in concert with a coordinated system of individually-designed supports, participants are encouraged to build upon strengths that help them become financially stable and independent.

Faith Based – Charlotte-area faith groups are directly involved though Hope Teams, volunteers who provide an array of emotional, physical and spiritual supports for participants.

Cost Efficient – $7,500 supports one WISH family for one year with life skills support and advocacy, Hope Team participation and apartment rent subsidy. The cost is less than the annual cost to warehouse a family in a shelter. With the intensive supportive services offered by WISH, our families are empowered to reach self-sufficiency in 2 to 5 years.  However, each family will “step” through this program at a different pace.   WISH plans to help over 100 families achieve this ultimate goal at a total cost of $3,750,000 (assuming the 5 year conservative time estimate).

Results Driven – Ongoing research will capture and replicate best practices designed by WISH to make the project sustainable and replicable for more people and communities.

You Can Make a Difference
Your contribution of time, talent or resources to WISH makes an immediate and lasting difference in the lives of families living in shelters or on the edge of homelessness. Your support moves people out of homeless shelters and into affordable housing. There are many ways to be involved:

Donate $$ – Ninety-five percent of all contributions go to directly to keeping people off the streets through life skills support, Hope Team enrichment or rent subsidies. No donation is too small. Your gift, combined with the generous contributions of others helps hundreds of people. (more)