Causes: Children & Youth, Employment Preparation & Procurement, Homeless & Housing, Human Service Organizations, Human Services, Job Training, Temporary Housing, Youth Development Programs

Mission: Provides high impact housing, youth development, employment, mentoring, and emergency services to 500 homeless and low income persons monthly to create opportunities for their success!At Community Family Life Services, our mission is to give people living in poverty and homelessness the tools they need to move towards permanent economic and social self-sufficiency. Not only do we offer short-term crisis assistance, but we also empower families and individuals to change their lives for the better. Our dedicated staff and volunteers provide a variety of services in the following areas: Housing Services; Supportive Services & Community Outreach; and Youth Development & Advocacy. CFLS was founded in 1969 by First Trinity Lutheran Church to address the needs of recently released ex-offenders and their families. Since then, we have grown and evolved to provide services to low-income and homeless families and individuals in the District of Columbia and now serve more than 5,000 people annually.

Results: FY2008-2009: • PROVIDED housing and housing services for individuals and families: — Provided 89 units of transitional and permanent housing; — Transitional to Permanent Housing Programs for 19 families with 70% of families reporting an increase in income and 100% moving to permanent housing; — CFLS’ Trinity Arms Transitional Housing Program ranks # 14 of 60 Transitional and Permanent Housing Programs in DC; — Housing case management for 45 persons living with HIV; • PROVIDED supportive services to 115 children including case management, counseling and education; provided housing, tutoring and/or advocacy; • ENROLLED 35 children in the academic based afterschool program and 50 children signed up for the summer enrichment programs with 92% of children in this program reporting an increase in academic performance; • PROVIDED employability development and job placement for 102 chronically unemployed persons through CFLS’ Employment Development and Placement Services; • PROVIDED walk-in emergency food and clothing to 2500 persons annually; and operated a volunteer component logging 8056 hours of volunteer services; • PROVIDED breakfast to an average of 75 homeless individuals monthly; • DISTRIBUTED toys to 300 Families during the Christmas Toy Drive.

Programs: Our mission is to provide clients with the tools they need to move themselves beyond poverty and homelessness into permanent self-sufficiency. We have two primary goals: (1) to provide short-term crisis assistance, and (2) to empower individuals and families to change their lives over the long term. We achieve those goals through a web of interconnected services in three major areas: Housing Services; Supportive Services; and Youth Development & Advocacy. All clients have access to the full range of CFLS services, depending on individual circumstances. This holistic approach provides our clients with education, skills and support from a committed staff, empowering each client to pursue his/her goals.