Counseling Center  |  5-Star Job Readiness Program |  AfterCare Program

The Genesis Counseling Center

For the past ten years Genesis has been developing a counseling program that provides supportive services for homeless families.  Ten years ago Genesis had one therapist who worked pro bono one day a week as a part of the volunteer program.
 
Through the innovative energy of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director and Genesis Staff working cooperatively with a volunteer this component of the program has evolved into a significant contribution to the total program at Genesis.  Genesis now has from six to eight therapists working with our families at any given time.  Masters level students from Argosy University, Mercer University and students who are working towards licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist participate in a supervised learning experience.  These are well trained dedicated professionals who are completing their academic training with a hands-on, experiential opportunity to work with individuals, groups and families. Counselors provide individual, couple, family and group therapy on a weekly basis and provide assessments for accessing specialized resources in the community.

Each family is assigned a counselor who works with them in a supportive way initially.  As specific issues are identified, that therapist facilitates the family in developing healthy skills for coping with life and developing a life plan that will sustain them and carry them forward to a stable life in the community.  Counselors work collaboratively with staff to inform and encourage comprehensive provision of mental health services.  The focus is on identifying and developing strengths, problem solving, and healthy living to facilitate building strong, thriving families.

Working with young families provides the opportunity to bring about healthy changes in the family life that impact economic stability and healthy living in the community for generations to come.  Our ultimate goals are to impact the cycle of poverty and homelessness and facilitate these young families in developing a solid foundation for family development across time.

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The Genesis 5-Star Job Readiness Program

The Genesis 5-Star Job Readiness Program is a comprehensive job readiness program for the residents at Genesis. The 5-Star program begins with a two-week orientation focusing on computer skills, job etiquette, resume preparation, and interview skills.  After completion, participants choose a career track; available programs include clerical/office administration, food services, child development/child care, medical services and non-traditional. 

The core of the 5-Star program is the six week on-the-job training that each participant completes.  Those choosing child care work in our fully-licensed Child Development Center, those seeking food services experience work in our Food Services Department, and those interested in office or clerical work serve in our Administrative Department.  We partner with Goodwill Industries for non-traditional job training and experience and we are working with ACHOR and Senior Connections for the medical track.

This training teaches valuable skills and provides homeless adults with references, work history and the knowledge to succeed.  The Genesis 5-Star Job Readiness Program is designed to help residents focus on an area of interest and gain employable skills that lead to a job in that field, enabling them to obtain and keep above minimum wage career positions.  Each resident in the Genesis 5-Star Job Readiness Program is encouraged to further their education in the area of interest by being given a career track guide with salaries, and one on one personal job coaching with Education and Employment Case Manager.  

Genesis considers our program successful when the families leaving have permanent housing, stable employment and the ability to keep their children healthy and safe.  The Genesis 5-Star Job Readiness Program is a critical component to helping many of our families achieve this success.

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AfterCare Program

Genesis “A New Life” offers an AfterCare program that follows all residents up to five years after leaving the shelter.  This program is offered to assist families in their transition back into the community and towards self-sufficiency. It has been reported that it takes up to 5 years to recover from homelessness.  The Genesis AfterCare program provides residents with pre-and post-discharge services that prepare them for independent living and acts as a support system that reaches out to individuals on a personal level.   Through this program we connect families with needed resources that help prevent a reccurrence of homelessness.

Even before discharge, each family becomes a part of our AfterCare program and services begin with housing and furniture coordination.  After being discharged, Genesis assists each family with childcare at no cost for 6 months as well as with food, baby supplies, and on-site counseling as needed.  Our AfterCare Coordinator performs periodic home visits which serve as an opportunity to keep regular contact with past residents and provide crisis intervention as needed.  Assessments are done on each visit to accommodate the needs of each family, and Genesis coordinates with several community agencies to offer financial support with utilities, bills and rent.

It is our goal to assure that each family has permanent housing; stable employment and proper child care arrangements, such attending school or in a child development program and receiving appropriate services. All of our families receive additional support during the Back to School and Holiday seasons, including special Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

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