Sisters Place - Our Services

Our Services

Our services address the fundamental needs of our client families, helping them to overcome obstacles and achieve stability.

Safe, affordable, and decent housing
Supportive services to help families move toward self-sufficiency
Child care, transportation, after-school programming, cultural opportunities, parenting education, and intensive case management
Education and job training to develop careers and earning potential

Our clients come from a diverse collection of backgrounds, but many of them share commonalities before they enter Sisters Place. Generally speaking,

70% of the mothers have been victims of physical and/or sexual abuse
38% suffer from the disease of addiction
62% struggle with a mental illness
27% have both mental illness and addiction
20% have no high school diploma or GED
100% were living in poverty

Our 2007 Program Successes

19 of 37 mothers (52%) became employed full or part-time
22 of 37 families (60%) increased their household income
13 of 37 mothers (35%) attended post-secondary education schools
9 of 13 families (70%) leaving us transitioned to independent housing

Having helped more than 140 single-parent families over the years, we have many stories we're proud to share. Here is the success story of one mom.

And if you haven't already read Executive Director Sister Mark Parks' article from the 2007 Sisters Place Annual Report, we invite you to do so now. You'll find in it some of the success stories behind the figures quoted above.

Permanent Housing Program

Sixteen units are scattered throughout a lively, healthy community of 450 townhouses in Clairton, Pennsylvania.
Our focus here is to provide housing to single mothers with physical or behavioral health disabilities, where they can enjoy the anonymity that comes with living in a larger development. Participants may remain in Sisters Place permanent housing indefinitely as long as they follow participant guidelines.

Transitional Housing Program

Single women and their children can live in rent-assisted housing for up to two years. Priority is given to women between 18 and 30 years old. Applicants must have custody of at least one child or be seven months pregnant upon entry into the program. Residents must be working or attending school to remain in the program.

Eligibility requirements

Members of both the permanent and transitional programs must maintain eligibility requirements, including

meeting with a case worker regularly to set and check progress toward goals
working with a Child Development Specialist
paying a monthly program fee based on a percentage of their adjusted gross income

Follow this link for more complete information about eligibility requirements and to access the Housing Application.

Children Climbing Higher Program

Kids are our focus in this program that promotes education, family activities, and in-home support services to help mothers strengthen their parenting skills and improve family interactions. It is another example of how we're able to establish safer, healthier home environments that spark the transition to self-sufficiency.

An after-school program and summer camp are available to all school-aged children. The former offers computer classes, tutoring, help with homework, and a lending library. Summer camp provides six weeks of learning opportunities through field trips, science camp, music and art appreciation, and swimming.