Transitional Housing of Pittsburgh is an agency that provides social services to the greater Pittsburgh area. It is a start-up, not-for profit agency. Amy Rand founded the organization. She has both the practical experience as well as the education necessary to manage it. Amy is currently assembling a strong Board of Trustees. This will be a great asset to the organization.
Services
Transitional Housing of Pittsburgh provides housing for women in need and training them in life skills. It offers assistance to women, frequently homeless, as they move from dependent, often abusive relationships into independent, self-sufficient lifestyles. Additionally, it assists clients in child reunification. This is especially important because 80% of clients do not have custody but have children.
This is the city’s only women-only shelter and the only one that offers long-term transitional living. Transitional Housing provides up to two years of housing, whereas other shelters offer only 30 days or less. To assist clients, there is a counselor for chemical dependency and AIDS, as well as a counselor for family reunification.
The program includes eight steps that help clients learn life skills. This cooperative approach to empowerment is key to clients becoming self-sufficient. These steps include personal development and vocational training. Substance abuse counseling is also included. Interpersonal skills building, community involvement, leisure activity, and independent living skills are all part of the process.
The Market
Transitional Housing has identified two distinct market segments of customers based on age; those who are under 30 and those who are 30 and over. This distinction is crucial due to the high number of clients who have children and the fact that those in the younger market segment have much younger children. The age group under 30 is increasing at 9% annually, while the 30- and over age groups are increasing at 8%. Each group has 165.454 potential clients and 155.745 clients. The overwhelming majority of clients come from lower socio-economic population groups. These segments can be difficult to communicate with, yet their use of Transitional Housing’s services would give them some profound benefits.
Management
Amy Rand is the organization’s driving force and serves as the Executive Director. Amy graduated with a B.S. Amy received a B.S. degree in Sociology and a Master’s of Non-Profit Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition, she has many years of experience in project management for social services. While working as the program manager of Pennsylvania’s largest domestic abuse relief service provider, Amy developed a proactive empowerment program which has become the foundation for Transitional Housing’s collaborative approach to empowerment. Amy has built an extensive network of professional connections and personal relationships with key community figures during and since her tenure at program manager. This will make Transitional Housing more visible in the community and help with fundraising.
1.1 Mission
Transitional Housing’s mission is to provide women of Pittsburgh a safe transitional housing alternative, teach a multitude of skills to empower the women to self-sufficiency, and facilitate the possible reunification of clients with their children.
1.2 Keys to Success
- Build a strong, active Board of Trustees.
- Ensure that services offered meet market needs.
- Financial controls and accountability must be implemented and maintained.
1.3 Objectives
- Secure enough funding to support both operational and start-up costs.
- You can create a women-only transitional housing housing facility which provides housing as well as empowering skills.
- Establish a strong Board of Trustees to provide guidance, support fundraising efforts and oversee smooth operation of the organization.