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Dignity Housing believes in providing housing and services that stabilize, enhance life skills and provide opportunities for independent living. At Dignity, this progression begins with the provision of decent affordable housing in one of the organization's five transitional housing programs. Each of the following programs is designed to meet the varying needs of our tenant population.
Core Dignity
T he organization’s original housing program, Core Dignity currently consists of 41 scattered-site housing units, located in a variety of Northwest Philadelphia neighborhoods. Families receive case management, life skills development, workforce readiness, budgeting and savings guidance, housing placement services, and referrals to collaborating health and community-based agencies. Core Dignity is a transitional housing program and provides services to families for a period of two years.
Dignity II
The Dignity II development consists of 16 fully furnished apartment units located in three adjacent buildings in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. The program provides intense social service supports within a highly structured environment, and is divided into five (5) phases – from stabilization to self-sufficiency. All DII families are headed by single mothers recovering from substance abuse and/or domestic violence situations. Families reside at Dignity II for a period of 18-24 months.
Dignity III - Better Options for Self-Sufficiency
 Launched in 2003, Dignity’s BOSS project earned the organization the prestigious Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance. BOSS consists of 8 units of housing located in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. The program has an intensive workforce development focus geared toward enhancing employment outcomes for residents. Dignity III residents may receive housing and supportive services for up to 24 months.
Enhanced Services Project (ESP)
Implemented in 1999, ESP services 35 families whose head-of-household is either HIV-positive, recovering from  substance abuse, and/or diagnosed with a mental health or physical disability. ESP tenants receive intensive case management, advocacy and interventions from qualified staff. Dignity's ESP participants are also linked with a variety of mental health and therapeutic service organizations and their participation in these programs is monitored by Dignity staff. ESP offers longer-term housing in which residents may remain for up to five years.
Future Homes Program 
Begun as a lease-to-own pilot initiative between Dignity Housing and the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Supportive Housing, the Future Homes program provides Dignity residents with the option to purchase their Dignity home. In the upcoming years, one - two residents are expected to participate each year, receiving additional supportive services to prepare them for the purchase of the home when they complete the program.
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At the heart of Dignity Housing's Social Services design is the trademarked Life Skills Development Component® (LSDC). The LSDC requires each tenant head-of-household to develop and pursue life improvement goals in a variety of areas including: Income Enhancement and Money Management; Education; Health and Wellness; Youth and Child Development; Job Readiness, Training, and Placement; Home Maintenance; Parenting and Child Care; Homeownership Preparation; Leadership Development; and Community Service.
 Utilizing the LSDC, each tenant works with his/her case manager to identify life skills goals and objectives which are documented in writing in each tenant's Life Skills Action Plan (LSAP). Case Managers provide supports and services to tenants through office and home consultations, telephone contact, and referrals and follow-up to other service organizations. Tenant progress is measured consistently and LSDP are updated on a quarterly basis to ensure that goals and objectives are met in a way that maximizes tenant potential.
Counseling Services
Many of Dignity's families face multiple and complex issues related to their histories of poverty and drug, alcohol and domestic abuse. In some instances, mothers are being reunited with their children for the first time since completing substance abuse rehabilitation programs. Families are in need of numerous supports to help them stabilize their lives and move toward self-sufficiency. In-home family counseling is provided on a weekly basis to our most at-risk families residing at Dignity II and Dignity III. Counselors focus on:
- Building healthy parent-child relationships.
- Restoring appropriate roles within the household.
- Examining issues of guilt often experienced by mothers with addictions.
- Addressing the unique feelings experienced by children and youth of addiction and domestic violence.
Support Groups
Support groups are offered to adults on-site at Dignity II and Dignity III to address the following:
- Drug and Alcohol Recovery
- Domestic Violence
- Parenting
Job Readiness and Employment Services
In order to move beyond Dignity, it is critical that tenants secure employment at a living wage. Case Managers work with tenants to increase their employability. Tenants attend a variety of training programs facilitated by Dignity staff. Dignity also offers a number of Internships Opportunities to tenants every year, and financially supports advancements in education and training through the Dignity Education and Life Skills Scholarship Fund.
Internship Opportunities
These internal employment opportunities are designed to provide tenants with valuable work experiences and the opportunity to interact in a supportive, professional setting. Adult interns work in several Dignity Housing Divisions and with outside agencies in order to develop an array of skills and identify areas of tenant strength.
The following specialized components are built into all internships:
- Skills Assessment
- Career Exploration
- Effective Job Searching
- Resume and Cover Letter Writing
- Interviewing Skills
- Computer and Internet Exposure
- Wage Savings Requirements
Scholarship Fund
The Dignity Education and Life Skills Scholarship Fund was established in 1991 after a successful fundraising awards dinner raised more than $70,000 for the cause. Over the years, The Fund has provided more than $170,000 and provided 91 Dignity tenants the opportunity to complete degrees from local colleges and trade schools including Associate's and Bachelor's degree programs. A number of Dignity's tenants have moved on to complete Master's and Doctoral programs as well.
Family Activities
At Dignity Housing we believe that family-centered activities are a key component to developing healthy family interactions and building confidence in children and youth. Therefore, we create opportunities for the entire family to engage in positive educational, social and cultural activities.
Activities include such annual events as:
- Holiday Party - Dignity Housing hosts an Annual Holiday Party for tenants each December. The event features food, entertainment, gifts, and arts and crafts activities for the entire family.
- Fellowship Farms Family Camp Experience - A new addition to the potential annual activities, the camp promotes family bonding and enhanced family communication through a variety of interactive and dynamic activities.
- Family Picnic - Every year Dignity residents and staff get together to enjoy a combination of games, recreation and good cooking. Over the years, the Family Picnic has been held at State Parks, local playgrounds, and nearby theme parks.
A variety of other activities including Family to Family Night, Game Night, Cooking Classes, etc. are held weekly for Dignity II and Dignity III families.
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As formerly homeless children, Dignity's youth face a variety of obstacles that challenge their educational, social and emotional development. Statistics inform us that homeless children are twice as likely to have a learning disability and three times more likely than other children to have emotional or behavioral problems.
That is why Dignity Housing designed the Paths Toward the Future (PATHS) youth program; to help Dignity children develop their potential educationally, socially, intellectually, civically and emotionally. Without intervention and the creation of opportunities, our young people face the prospect of getting caught in the cycle of poverty. With the PATHS program, our young people can develop the self-esteem, education and decision-making skills that place them on the road to an independent future. The PATHS program includes:
The Dignity After-School Program (ASP)
 This program currently serves children from Dignity's two-year transitional housing programs, Dignity II and Dignity III. The ASP serves a dual purpose: to provide a free, convenient solution for Dignity II mothers (who are employed and/or enrolled in educational programs) that are seeking quality after-school care for their children; and to provide a structured, safe and nurturing environment for children and youth.
Tutoring and homework assistance are provided to program participants every afternoon, Monday-Thursday. Specialized tests are given to each student to assess their abilities and to measure progress in various subjects. Individual Academic Plans (IAP) are used by staff and tutors to set specialized goals according to each child's ability. Supplemental trips, workshops, and activities are incorporated to help improve social skills and individual growth.
Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)
The SEP was delveloped to further address the academic needs of students in the After School Program. Specifically, it is for students that were either retained, required to attend summer school, or that passed, but are behind in the reading and math requirements for the next grade level. The program runs from June through August and participants meet every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30-5:30 p.m. SEP activities, which include reading out loud and individual tutoring, work to strengthen skills franing from reading and writing to math and science.
 Dignity Drumline
The Dignity Drumline consists of youth ages 5-18 that play a variety of Brazilian percussion instruments. They practice once per week and have performed at several Dignity events as well as within the community. Participation in the Drumline is based on academic standing, and attendance at school and passing grades in all subjects are required of each member.
Family to Family Group and Family Counseling
Youth that enter Dignity's program are emotionally fragile as a result of their experiences with homelessness, and often family violence and parental drug and alcohol abuse. Many were separated from their mothers as a result of homelessness or drug and alcohol abuse, and are being reunited for the first time. According to the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council, "In families with unstable housing, the parent-child relationship is particularly fragile, which can perpetuate the cycle of homelessness."1 To eradicate this prospective, Dignity Housing provides in-home family counseling and "Family to Family" group sessions to facilitate positive communication and build healthy family interactions. Interventions focus on the unique needs experienced by children that have experienced traumatic situations. These forums allow children and youth to express their emotions in a safe environment and to work with their families in solving problems and completing special assignments. In-home consultation takes place individually with youth, as well as with the entire family, based upon the need. In cases of serious distress or where mental health diagnoses exist in children, families are provided with referrals to partner organizations that specialize in mental health treatment, and their participation and progress is monitored.
Summer Internships
The goal of the Summer Internship Program is to provide Dignity Housing's teens with work experiences that will enhance their leadership skills and develop their career and educational goals. Interns are provided placements within Dignity Housing as well as other community organizations. Past collaborations have included: local hair salons, African-American Museum of Philadelphia, local psychiatrists offices, Jefferson Hospital, local day care providers, Project Home, and Summer Day camps for children. Youth interns also participate in workshops, career and self-exploration projects, and open savings accounts for their hard earned dollars. If your organization is interested in partnering with Dignity Housing's Summer Internship Program, please contact Casi Scully at cscully@dignityhousing.org or 215-843-7488.
 Scholarship Opportunities
The Dignity Education and Life Skills Scholarship Fund creates a variety of opportunities for youth to participate in personal and educational growth activities by providing assistance for the following: college preparatory courses and application fees; standardized test preparation materials and registration fees; private school entrance exams; college and trade school tuition; college tours; books and supportive educational materials; tutoring expenses; participation in specialized activities such as music and art programs; and enrollment in summer camp programs. The Fund has provided more than $125,000 in scholarships to Dignity's residents.
Seasons of Change Youth Forum
Seasons of Change focuses on developing self-esteem and decision-making skills by addressing a variety of important topics related to health and personal well-being. This yearlong program (following the academic calendar) takes youth on a journey of exploration from Self (Autumn) to Family (Winter), to Peers (Spring), to Community (Summer). With each season, youth address a different area of development, touching on such critical topics as: self esteem and body image, anger management and conflict resolution, gender stereotypes and homophobia, dating violence and gang violence, drug and alcohol use, current events and the media, civic responsibility, and much more.
Through specialized activities, workshops, journal entries, trips and projects, youth are challenged to assess their personal behaviors, values and attitudes in relation to the world around them. The goal is for youth to gain self-confidence and build a foundation for a healthy future as they develop critical thinking, decision making, leadership, time management, coping, writing, and communication skills.
Family Activities
The goal of family-centered activities is to develop healthy family interactions by creating opportunities for the entire family to engage in positive educational, cultural and social activities. They enhance family cohesion, teach parents skills and build confidence in children and youth. Activities include such annual events as the Family Picnic, African-American History Celebration, Holiday Party and the newly added trip to Fellowship Farms for a Family Camp Experience. The camp promotes family bonding and enhances family communication through a variety of interactive and dynamic activities. Additionally, weekly activities are held including family discussions, game nights, field trips, cooking classes, etc.
Cultural Workshops, Trips and Activities
As part of Dignity's PATHS program, children participate in a variety of workshops, trips and activities throughout the year that promote cultural awareness, tolerance, and self-confidence, as well as develop critical thinking and decision making skills. Dignity collaborates with an organization, CHP Tours, that provides monthly workshops and artistic activities that focus on languages, artifacts and diversity among cultures.
[1] Healing Hands (May 2003). Homelessness and Family Trauma: The Case for Early Intervention. Volume 7, No. 2. Retrieved June 22, 2005 from the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council website: http://www.nhchc.org/Network/HealingHands/2003/hh-0503.pdf
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