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

From its opening in 1997, Sisters Place has served 194 families: 107 in the Permanent Program and 87 in the Transitional Program.

Our clients come from diverse backgrounds, but generally speaking they have been victims of physical and/or sexual abuse, have suffered from the disease of addiction, have struggled with a mental illness, have both mental illness and addiction, and have no high school diploma or GED. All had been living in poverty.

Our 2010 combined outcomes for the Transitional and Permanent Housing Programs

• 18 of 50 mothers (36%) became employed full or part-time
• 31 of 50 families (62%) increased their household income
• 30 of 50 mothers (60%) attended workforce development or post-secondary education
• 22 of 23 families (96%) transitioned from the Program to independent housing

We have welcomed our first father to the program. He and his 8-month-old son became residents in January 2011.

Having helped more than 194 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 through a community of 450 townhouses in Clairton, Pennsylvania. This program provides housing to single parents 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. 28 families and 64 children were provided supportive services. The average adult age was 36.8, the average child age 9.8 years.

Transitional Housing Program

Single parents 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.

Families participate in the Transitional Program an average of 9 months.

22 single female headed families and 42 children were served in the 2010 Transitional Housing Program. The average adult age was 24, the average child age 3.4 years

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