Our Program
Services Provided
Listening House offers a basic safety net of services, further complemented by those given through volunteer professionals and other social service agencies. These partnerships aid in addressing complex needs without duplicating services or adding to the annual budget.
• Sanctuary from the Street to find kinship, create community, or to be heard
• Assessment of Needs and Referrals to services not provided at Listening House
• Hygiene products, towels and bathrooms accessibility
• Sock Exchange and foot care products to reduce foot disease and soothe aching feet. Foot ministry, including foot massage, is offered weekly.
• Clothing Room available to over 100 people each week; the only free-clothing site in the downtown area. There is also an ironing board to press clothing.
• Basic Health Care
Wound treatment, suture removal, health care education provided; over-the-counter medications dispensed, and direct referrals made to the Healthcare Team.
• HIV/AIDS screening and education clinic held weekly
• Chiropractic Care provided by licensed Doctors of Chiropractics• Bus Tokens for seeking or getting to work and appointments given in exchange of household chores (4,808 tokens given last year)
• Free Haircuts weekly
• Mailing Address and Telephone Contact to seek work, look for housing, connect with family, or schedule appointments - 600 individuals receive mail at LH, two telephones are designated for guest-use-only, and staff accepts and posts messages.
• Voicemail available to 36 individuals for up to six-months
• Vital Documents (State IDs / Birth certificate) procured
• Quarterly Community Meetings held to discuss problems, answer questions and give opportunity for guest input. Also, annual meeting of Guests Meet the Board of Directors
• Special Celebrations, hosted by volunteers including two holiday buffets, summer barbeque, ice cream socials and pizza parties.
• Short-term Loans provided for prescription co-pay and other minor expenses; guests are expected to return payment so that others may be helped (65% recovery rate)