Deborah’s Place

Teresa’s Interim Housing Old Town:

Teresa’s Interim Housing is a ten-bed, 120-day interim housing program providing a safe, structured community. Women and staff work together to meet goals such as stable housing, employment, family reunification, and improved health.

The interim housing program of Deborah’s Place was named for Teresa Neuman. Teresa was a former participant of Marah’s and a member of the Board of Directors of Deborah’s Place. She was very involved in the planning of the building at 1530 N. Sedgwick. Teresa died in 1994 after a struggle with cancer. Board and staff felt that naming this program for her was a fitting tribute to her strength and leadership.

Safe Haven:
Dolores’ Safe Haven Old Town:

Dolores’s Safe Haven provides a safe and supportive environment for fifteen women with severe mental illness who have been chronically homeless. These women are considered the hardest to house. Staff reaches out and engages women to offer services that result in stable housing and increased quality of life.

Dolores was a woman who stayed in the Overnight Shelter at Deborah’s Place. She was smart, witty and loved a good book and conversation. Dolores died in 2003 in the company of Deborah’s Place volunteers and staff. Naming the Safe Haven after Dolores represents our commitment to respecting each individual woman’s choices and honoring her journey from homelessness to housing.

Health Services:
Through mini-health clinics, Deborah’s Place coordinates participant healthcare and provides referrals to free or low-cost health services. On-site healthcare and health education reduce health crises that require costly emergency room visits and help women who have not accessed traditional healthcare due to barriers like lack of health insurance, mental illness, substance use and resistance to care.

Case Management:
Participant-directed case management assists women in meeting goals they have established for themselves. Case managers use asset-based approach emphasizing individual strengths so participants can be linked to resources to help them reach stability and self-sufficiency.