Run by the nonprofit SELF, Inc., Erie House provides shelter and services for 25 women at their North Philadelphia location. SELF’s Peer Outreach team and the Office of Supportive Housing make referrals.

Residents are provided with food, shelter, toiletries, and other necessary items. A great number of helpful programs are available through SELF and outside organizations. One of the unique parts of SELF’s programs is their Peer Culture system. Peer counselors are elected from the resident population and paid to help new residents, lead community-building exercises, and generally provide a good example to other residents. Every week there is a community meeting where residents can express their feelings about life at the shelter.

Group counseling and life skills classes are available on site to increase the feeling of living in a community and help residents acclimate to social life. Case managers work with each resident to identify their particular problems and move through the four levels of Erie’s program. In addition, many members of Erie’s staff are former residents of SELF’s shelters, so they can empathize with shelter residents.

Outside organizations provide services like medical care, mental health care, HIV/AIDS services, nutritional training, drug and alcohol rehab, parenting skills, employment training and placement, transitional housing, and literacy programs.

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