Families that come to our shelter are in a vulnerable state, and have often exhausted the resources personally available to them. Understanding this, People Serving People's Advocacy Services Program provides opportunities for families to receive one-on-one assistance, education, and referrals to outside resources. This is done to create stability for families, both while at our shelter and after they move into other housing. Advocacy Services help families to break through barriers to move them toward self-sufficiency through connections to people, programs, and services. Families set goals with our staff and meet those goals while staying at our shelter.

People Serving People's Advocacy Services' goals are to 1) Use strength-based client-centered practice to encourage guests, help them realize their potential and empower them to make progress towards stability, 2) Be attentive, provide support, and listen to needs of families and adjust the services and approach accordingly, 3) Connect families to resources and services that will provide immediate needs as well as opportunities for future/permanent stability, 4) Advocate when necessary to ensure the guest's side is being expressed while advocating for better service and clarification on issues that arise, and 5) Build trusting relationships with guests who otherwise have a minimal support system.

Women's Group

People Serving People offers a group designed for women at our shelter to take a break from their stressful, hectic days. The group helps women to relax, have fun, and create friendships with other women in similar situations. Activities include playing games, making jewelry, doing manicures, watching movies, painting, and more.

Youth Group

Teens at our shelter can participate in People Serving People's Youth Group and discover new skills and interests pertaining to art, while using the healing power of art therapy to give teens a safe and healthy way to express themselves and find their identity. Some of the planned activities include photography, sketching and poetry/song writing. A different theme is introduced each month, while using each art medium as a way for the group members to show their perspective for each theme. Some of the themes include urban/city life, family/friends, hobbies/interests, school life, careers, and nature. The hope is to uncover talents that many teens may already have, and give a voice in developing the expectations and some of the activities for the group.