The staff and volunteers work with each family to assess the needs of the members (physical, emotional, spiritual and financial) and assist them in setting goals that will lead to long-term changes in their lives. Thomas House provides some services on site and networks with other agencies to offer other opportunities for families to achieve their goals and plan for the future.

The Thomas House Program assists families to become self-sufficient in the following ways:

• Approximately fifteen families participate in a 6 to 9 month program. Families maintain or seek full-time employment, budget their income, pay bills and save 80% of their income after expenses.
• Families make long-term goals and meet with a staff member weekly to discuss daily goals and finances and plan the actions necessary to prepare for a stable future.
• Thomas House assists families with their transition to permanent housing. The staff encourages the graduate families to return to the shelter for classes and activities and to participate in the Resident Outreach Program.
• Thomas House strives to keep parents and children together in an environment that will provide an opportunity for a new beginning.

In addition to providing basic needs, Thomas House assists families in becoming self-sufficient by providing the following services:

• Case Management
• On-site Employment Counseling through: job search assistance, resume writing, application completion, interview preparation, and provisions for business apparel
• Housing and Transportation Assistance
• Parenting and Life Skills Classes
• On-site Individual and Family Counseling
• Evening and Saturday Children's Program: homework assistance, art and crafts, birthday and holiday parties
• Former Residents Outreach Program
• Off-site Child Care
  

To Refer A Family To Thomas House:
Thomas House is a transitional shelter. Admission into the program is through a telephone interview, followed by a face-to-face meeting. Thomas House is not an emergency shelter and we are unable to offer housing on an immediate or walk-in basis. For information on emergency shelters, please call 211.

To refer a family, call the hotline for homeless families: 714-647-7534

"Thank you for letting my family stay at Thomas House. We liked the Christmas presents and birthday presents. Thank you for your kindness...you made us feel safe.”
- A Nine Year Old Thomas House Resident