FAQS

1)  Who comes to Home Start as a client?

Answer:  Home Start serves homeless children and their families. Families are headed by a single mother, single father, both parents, or grandparents raising children.


2)  Does Home Start accept singles who may be homeless?

Answer:  Unfortunately, we do not. Our mission is to transition homeless families into affordable, sustainable and permanent housing. We refer singles to the Lazurus Project of Roseville at (www.lazarusprojectinc.org) and the Salvation Army, Roseville (www.tsatoday.org/www_roseville.nsf) and PEACE For Families (www.peaceforfamilies.org).


3)  How long do clients stay at Home Start?

Answer:  The program is one year in length. At the end of the year, families receive assistance in finding suitable, affordable housing. The second year, living independently, families remains under our supervision.


4)  How much money does Home Start use for operations?

Answer:  Home Start's management and expenses are under 15% of its total budget. Most funds donated are applied directly to program expenses. We can only do this with extensive support from volunteers.


5)  How many clients are living at Home Start?

Answer:  We are rated as 99-bed facility with 28 housing units. This means that we accommodate up to 30 families and some 60 to 70 children.


6)  Who refers clients to Home Start?

Answer:  Clients are referred to Home Start by local churches, Child Protective Services, the Courts, Welfare Department, EDD and similar agencies. We also work closely with Peace for Families (www.peaceforfamilies.org), a domestic violence shelter and clients are referred to us by them.


7)  What is the success rate of Home Start?

Answer:  The success rate is high. Ninety percent of the families that complete the program remain in permanent housing for at least two years.


8)  Are volunteers screened?

Answer:  Yes, volunteers must undergo a background check as well as provide fingerprints for the Department of Justice. While this may be seen as unnecessary by some, it is a requirement and we support it.


9)  Where does your support come from?

Answer:  Thirty percent of our budget is government grants, 35% foundations and 35% private and individual donations.


10)  What types of volunteers do you need?

Answer:  We always need educators for our GED program, tutors, mentors and life skill teachers. From time to time we have work days for moving, cleaning or small repairs and painting.


11)  If I don't have time to volunteer, how can I help?

Answer:  Home Start always needs money. Given recent disasters such as Katrina and Rita, grant money have been particularly difficult to obtain. Donations are tax deductible and we are grateful for them.


12)  Do you accept other kinds of donations, such as furniture or vehicles?

Answer:  We do on a limited basis. We have very little storage. If you have a vehicle in good condition and it would be an acceptable vehicle for a resident or client, please call us. We also accept, from time to time, furniture that we use to assist clients moving to housing upon graduation.


13)  What is the program at Home Start?

Answer:  Programs are tailored for the different needs of the families. Case management and therapy are provided, as well as many self-help opportunities. Clients are required to work if able, placed on a strict budget, required to save money for a security deposit, attend Parenting, and GED classes if not a high school graduate. A modest donation is also expected. Again, this is a year long program with another year of supervision following graduation.


14)  How do I donate to Home Start?

Answer:  Please call us at 916-782-6667 or E-mail us at RhondaHomeStart@surewest.net and we will be happy to discuss this with you and provide our federal tax identification number.