Established in 2000, The Van Siclen Family Residence (VSFR) is a transitional housing facility located in Brooklyn which caters to the needs of homeless families with children. VSFR is an extension of Overcoming-Love Ministries (OCLM), which is a 501(c)(3), faith-based, non-profit organization and the sister shelter of The Pulaski Family Residence (PFR). The facility provides housing and social services to 20 families. Clients are referred to us by Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing (PATH) through the New York City Department of Homeless Services.

The majority of our families are composed of single parents with children ranging from newborn to age 17. Our mission is to provide safe and decent housing to homeless families with children and, in the process, meet their mental, physical, and spiritual needs. VSFR believes that a holistic approach to man's needs creates a more stable human being. VSFR offers the initial support services needed toward the stabilization of these families. VSFR offers services on-site and by referral.

 

Van Siclen Family Residence
246 Jamaica Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11207

"Where the Building Blocks of Self-Sufficiency are Initiated"

Services Offered:

  • Case Management
    Clients are assessed and realistic goals are set according to their needs. To ensure that these goals are met, the social worker follows up with each family. Clients are encouraged to take an active role in the services rendered to them as a means of increasing their sense of responsibility. Housing applications are initiated and followed up. A social worker coordinates services to clients assuring they receive all benefits in a timely manner. Most of our clients are either working or attending an educational program.
  • Chaplain Services
    Services of Chaplains are available at the client's request.
  • Family Assistance
    A Family Assistant from the Department of Education evaluates the educational needs of each school-age child within 24-hours of entry into the facility and also coordinates the transportation to and from school and monitors attendance.
  • A Better Care (ABC) Workshop
    A program developed and initiated at the VSFR to assist and teach families how to better care for their apartments with tips on self-sufficiency and home safety. This workshop is used as a tool to prepare these families to care for and maintain their future apartments. Workshops meet once a week.
  • Higher Level (HL) Program
    An addition which developed out of the request of our clients is the Higher Level (HL) Program. The primary goal is to strengthen the client's ability to cope with their particular life issues through verbalization and prayer.
  • On-Site 24-Hour Security
    There is a security guard on duty 24/7 to ensure safety within and surrounding the facility as well as state-of-the-art surveillance cameras.
  • Referrals and Community Linkages
    Our clients are referred to the following organizations for services: East New York Diagnostic Center, La Marca Family Health Center, Kings County Hospital and Brookdale Hospital, Early Intervention Program (EIP), Inner Force, among others.

News coverage of the Van Siclen Family Residence can be found here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/29/nyregion/29homeless.html

For more information, please contact Rev. Leopoldo A. Karl, Executive Director, at (718) 235-1464.