Overcoming Homelessness

Homelessness steals a person’s sense of security and self-worth. It erodes their spirit of hope in the future.

Metropolitan Ministries’ residential program Uplift U® is a place where homeless families and single women can find answers to help renew their hope and rebuild their spirit as they journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

Aimed at dealing with the issues of poverty and homelessness by focusing on the needs of each individual situation, Uplift U® is made up of eight broad components blended together to help each family and person reach their best level of self-sufficiency. There are no fees for any of the services offered by the Ministries.

Residence Services

• Thirty-nine (39) families and 14 single women (approximately 140 people, including an average of 77 children on any given day) have a safe place to live while building their way to self-sufficiency
  
• They can stay for as little as a few weeks or more than a year, depending on their needs
  Families range from a single mom or dad with small children to two parent families with teenagers to grandparents raising their grandchild(ren)

Counseling

• Each family works with a staff counselor to develop an individualized, achievable self- sufficiency plan
  
• Support groups and classes addressing personal growth (i.e. anger, money, and behavior management, parenting and self-esteem) and promoting healing

Health and Nutrition

• Three nutritious meals a day
• Classes on food safety and shopping/cooking on a budget
• Pediatric clinic, in collaboration with Tampa General Hospital and USF, provides prevention (school check-ups, immunizations) and acute medical care for resident children
• Local partnerships with dentists and referrals to other community health providers for adults

Education & Literacy

• PromiseLand Childcare Center, an on-site child care center providing free educational and social development opportunities for resident pre-school age children
  
  
• Metropolitan Ministries Academy, on-site K-5 grade Hillsborough County charter school focusing on the educational needs of homeless children where:
  
  • Small classes allow teachers to quickly assess each student’s academic needs and work with the child's parent to develop a plan to get/keep the child on track
    
  • Academy students benefit from one-on-one tutoring provided by volunteers and education interns from local universities
    
• Children’s Activities (K-12th graders) with after school activities and tutoring
  
• Summer, winter break and spring break camps, with recreational and educational activities, for children at the Ministries
  
• After school activities and tutoring
  
• Career Development Center, an on-site center providing adult and teen residents an area for quiet study, tutoring, computer access and training that is critical to their success. Volunteers help with:
  • Training on Microsoft software programs
  • Résumé writing
  • Employment search skills
  • Tutoring in math and English grammar skills needed to pass the GED test

Community Living and Pastoral Care

• Residents learn how to live in harmony with others and are provided an opportunity to achieve personal peace through a relationship with God
• Services include pastoral care, counseling, worship services, Bible studies, picnics, and other special events
• Provides a supportive environment modeling faith-based values that prepare residents for self-governance, advocacy, and personal responsibility when they leave the Ministries including a resident council and resident/staff community improvement team

Recovery & Sobriety Recovery

• Counseling including an assessment and individualized plan for each person as needed and may include referrals/participation in recovery programs within the community
• On-site classes dealing with the effects of substance abuse on the individual and the family; co-dependency, AA and NA meetings Alumni support group

Employment Services

• Assist residents in preparing for and finding gainful employment
• Career/skill skill assessment and counseling
• Guidance with resumé preparation, interviewing skills and dressing for success

Money Management

• Financial assessment
• Individual counseling and group classes focusing on budgeting and money management
• Partnerships with universities and financial institutions offering specialized assistance in financial matters