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Our target population is what is often
referred to as the chronically homeless 'street' population. They are the homeless,
addicted, mentally ill or otherwise severely distressed individuals of the community that
we refer to as our 'Guests'.
Some of our Guests stay the night at local
overnight shelters. Some are staying in many of the little known 'camps' that are
scattered along the railroad tracks, under bridges and in the various wooded areas of the
community. Some continually migrate from house to house staying with friends or family
until the welcome wears off. Some stay in cars, garages, parking ramps, open doorways,
abandoned buildings, or wherever they happen to fall on that particular night.
Almost all of them have an addiction
problem. Many suffer from a co-occurrence of mental illness and substance abuse. Some
suffer from learning, emotional or developmental disabilities. Some are caught in a cycle
of 'self medicating' with alcohol and/or drugs. Almost all are in a state of current life
trauma; almost all are at imminent risk of further serious harm to themselves or others.
Our Guests have few places that will welcome
them in and treat them with respect and dignity. They have often 'burned their bridges'
many times over with family, friends and the general public. We desire to be a safe place
where they can come to get off of the circuit of the street; a place where they can
receive assistance to clear the fog that currently envelopes their thinking; a place to
develop a plan to get off the treadmill of self-destruction. For some the fall has been
for only a short time and they can be elevated rather quickly. For others the pattern of
abuse and self destruction has been there for practically their entire lifetime and
progress will often take a slow and varied course with multiple starts, set backs and
re-starts.
On opening day of June 14, 2000 we served 8
Guests. The population has steadily increased. Today an average of 90 - 100 guests
per day make use of Carpenter's Place day room.
Mission Statement | CP Thumbnail Sketch
| Statistics &
Outcomes
Population and Number of People Served | Facilities
| Funding | Faith-based Model
Founder and Executive Director |
Governing and Advisory Board Members |
