Critical Services for Homeless Women & Children

Housing and Homelessness

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), homeless individuals are defined as a) living in a place not meant for human habitation, b) people who are losing their nighttime residence, such as a motel, c) families with children who are unstably housed (doubling up), and d) people who are attempting to flee domestic violence. At 129,972 people, the state of California has the highest rate of unsheltered homeless (68.9%) in America. In Long Beach, CA, 29.2% of homeless families have no form of shelter and a staggering 93.7% homeless individuals live without shelter. In the last five years, the average rent in the greater Long Beach area has gone up 26%, forcing more working families into homelessness. There also is a critical shortage of treatment and support for people who suffer from mental illnesses, physical disabilities, and addiction. Over 50% of homeless individuals reported struggling with substance abuse and/or mental illness.

The Lydia House program serves homeless women and children by providing emergency services such as meals, shelter, clothing, and long-term supportive services such as case management, education, career counseling, childcare, and housing assistance. The Lydia House program serves over 200 unduplicated individuals per year, including up to 40 children ranging in age from one to thirteen years of age. Lydia House provides shelter to women coming from backgrounds of abuse, addiction, victims of human trafficking and poverty. Our 50-bed Lydia House provides solace and hope in the face of abuse, addiction, financial hardship and abandonment. Women are given the opportunity to attend doctor's appointments, adult therapeutic sessions and workforce/education classes knowing that their young children are safe and being cared for in their absence at Precious Lamb Preschool - which is centered around providing early childhood care to the 0-5 yrs homeless population specifically. LBRM also provides safe transportation services to those children at Lydia House who are school-aged. Lydia House also assists many in finding more acute care facilities, while striving to move all guests into permanent housing.

All programming provided by Long Beach Rescue Mission is centered around the principal goal of preparing clients for the broader community as they progress toward permanent housing, financial independence, self-sufficiency, and their career goals. Vital to the success of LBRM programmatic efforts is our Learning & Resource Centers which help clients move toward full-time employment by identifying areas of strength as well as deficiencies which allows each client to not only build historical skills but also provides the opportunity to address gaps in the educational or vocational process. Individuals are also referred to supportive services offered through government programs, employment services, community centers, and tutoring centers. When LA county individuals transition out of homelessness and into securing employment, permanent housing, and securing necessary resources that allow them to remain independent and sustain a viable life, the entire community benefits.

At Long Beach Rescue Mission, programmatic efforts are measured in relation to our mission to provide immediate relief and our vision for long-term sufficiency. To facilitate accurate record keeping with regards to programs and services, LBRM uses a computer-based tracking program called Client Track. This program allows staff, including case managers and supervisors to log, track and export reports on all services provided. Outcomes are based on services provided and completion of programs. In the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2021 alone, LBRM had the following measurable outcomes: • 1,603 Counseling Sessions • 312 Bridge Counseling & Life Coaching sessions • 362 Case Management Consultations • 3,624 Life Skills Class Sessions • 2,015 General Education Sessions • 16,449 Bed nights of safe shelter • 16,449 Hot showers • 73,201 Meals provided