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 2008 Program Outcomes

• 17 of 38 mothers (45%) became employed full or part-time
• 10 of 38 families (27%) increased their household income
• 13 of 38 mothers (38%) attended post-secondary education schools
• 12 of 13 families (93%) leaving us transitioned to independent housing
• Every School-age child received school clothing, shoes, backpacks, and school supplies
• Through the generosity of our donors, every mother and child received Christmas gifts and food for the holiday season.

Having helped more than 140 single-parent families over the years, we have many stories we're proud to share. Here is the first of six of them. (Follow the links at the bottom of each story page to read the others.)

Permanent Housing Program

Twenty-seven families can be housed in Sisters Place units 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.

See also Focus on Children