ADDRESSING UNDERLYING CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS

 

Is it possible for a homeless services program to help people with such deep-seated problems? The research, which explains why some people bounce back from adversity, trauma and tragedy, shows the way.

 

This research indicates that a person’s resiliency is fostered and strengthened when she or he is given:

 

• a personal connection with someone who believes in him/her
• a sense that others have high expectations of him/her
• opportunities to make choices

Adverse childhood experiences ("ACEs") such as severe abuse and neglect have been show to profoundly affect physical and mental health, and are strong predictors of homelessness. Programs at COTS are “ACE-informed” and ACE awareness and resiliency principles are built into the organization’s culture. COTS staff is trained not only to understand the role of ACEs, but also to articulate the values and principles in which the programs are grounded.

 

Each COTS program addresses the effects of specific ACEs on adult clients, and builds on clients’ desires to avoid creating a new cycle of ACEs for their children. Kids First, support groups, case management, anger management and the Four Agreements Seminars are examples of COTS programs that have incorporated ACE research. ACEs are not accepted as an excuse to justify anti-social behavior or poor life outcomes, but rather are explicitly recognized in a way that helps clients understand their suffering and chronic bad experiences, and to move past that into a more healthy future. Resiliency support helps clients to successfully rebuild their lives.

 

 

Four Pillars of Success

How do we create an environment where hopeless people are able to find hope again?

Connection
Supportive and healthy relationships that prove reliable over time provide a foundation for people to develop hope. Personal connection with clients gives us the credibility to show them that we know how to help them, and that others in their situation have succeeded.

 

 

Hope
When a life has been shattered by abuse, accident, bad choices, or a combination of these, a person can feel hopeless. Without hope, there is no incentive to try to improve one’s circumstances. We help program participants rebuild their sense of hope with small changes that lead to bigger changes. In this way, we demonstrate that hope is rational.

 

 

Intention
Intention is the key to progress. Once there is hope for the possibility of a better life, COTS program participants are able to form intentions and set personal goals for their lives.

 

 

Integrity
Once connections are made, a sense of hope restored, and personal intentions developed, the COTS team holds each program participant—and our staff—accountable for taking actions in accord with their goals and dreams. Each success restores the program participant’s personal integrity and sense of control over his or her life, leading to bigger goals and more successes.

 

 

 

Connection, Hope, Intention, and Integrity. These are the COTS pillars of success!