A faith-based transitional housing complex, Visitation Homes provides services for 18 female-headed households with 1-5 children. The Office of Supportive Housing makes referrals. Extra consideration is given to women with special needs, like drug and alcohol addiction, histories of domestic abuse, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS.

Each family has a separate apartment with a kitchen, living room, dining room, and bathroom. Residents are assigned a case manager and they meet every week for a one-on-one session. Life skills classes help residents identify their obstacles and set up a plan to move forward. Outside organizations also present classes to Visitation Homes on a variety of subjects. Topics include nutrition, budgeting, health, job placement, and self-esteem.

Off-site services are also available for mental health issues, mentoring, health care, legal help, drug and alcohol rehab, education, and housing placement. Residents are required to participate in advocacy or community work to help them feel empowered and connected to their communities. One of Visitation Homes main partners is the Eastern Pennsylvania Organizing Project, a faith-based advocacy group focused on improving neighborhoods and social services, but residents may choose to get involved wherever they like.

In addition, Visitation Homes provides follow-up help for a year after residents move on to permanent housing. Staff members contact former residents once a month to see how they are doing and offer help if needed.

One Neighborhood developed this summary. If you are an employee of Visitation Homes, contact hello@oneneighborhood.org to update this page.