HOMELESS TO HOPEFUL

Employed

Employed offers temporary housing and support for men who are already working full-time, part-time, or as temporary employees within the Bloomington area. They can choose to stay at Wheeler Mission—Bloomington’s Center for Men for 60 days (extensions available) in order to save money while they successfully transition into permanent, independent housing.

Shelter extensions are granted by our case management team based on determined need. Working guests receive individualized case management and participate in life-skill classes, such as conflict resolution and interpersonal communications, during their stay.

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.

Foundations

Our Foundations program gives men in Bloomington and South Central Indiana a solid groundwork for successful, independent living.

Foundations is a two-phase program totaling up to 180 days (with extensions available). It is designed to help men who need short-term housing while they gain the life skills and other support services to overcome barriers to employment and permanent housing.

In addition to having their basic needs met – such as meals, shelter, showers, and clothing distribution – men within our Foundations program participate in the following activities:

• Case management assistance to empower guests to achieve income and housing stability
• Daily classroom instruction covering life skills such as conflict resolution, communication, listening, and interpersonal relationship development
• Job training in the areas of housekeeping and food service
• Job readiness classes covering resume development, interviewing skills, Microsoft Office training, and computer basics
• Financial stewardship instruction in preparation for personal budgeting, debt reduction, and savings
• Mentorship and peer counseling for encouragement and accountability

1 Timothy 6:18-19 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

Servant Leader Training (SLT)

Servant Leader Training (SLT): is for graduates of our programs who decide to receive ministry training by serving within a Christian context. It is a nine-to-twelve-month residential internship program for individuals who have completed a level 2 program and are seeking opportunities to serve others. This internship allows an individual to be trained while continuing to serve in Christian community. He or she will be able to address life issues, assist case managers, and develop God-given gifts/talents.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Connect

Sometimes it takes a little longer for our guests to have the contacts and confidence to successfully re-enter society. Graduates of our Foundations or Hebron programs are given the opportunity to stay an additional 90 days (with extensions available) at Wheeler Mission—Bloomington through our Connect program.

Connect’s goal is to establish and retain local community relationships for program participants to help them build a system of support. A major component of this is church involvement, to ensure each man is holistically nurtured emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Men in Connect continue to receive shelter and food while participating in the program and growing their network of support in their local church and community. Meanwhile, job readiness, financial management, and life skills classes remain available for Connect participants while our case management provides them with assistance in identifying employment and housing opportunities.

Connect acts as a bridge between program graduates and society, so men can become productive, healthy community members of Bloomington and South Central Indiana.

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Supportive Care

For any Connect program graduate who needs additional transitional care to move from homelessness to independent stability, help is available. Wheeler Mission—Bloomington offers men an extended stay of 18 months (with approved extensions) through our Supportive Care program.

Our Supportive Care program gives guests the opportunity to reside in an apartment-like setting while paying an affordable monthly program fee. Residents also receive case management to help them overcome barriers in achieving long-term success, choose life skill elective opportunities, and maintain a steady income.