The Apostle’s House

The Apostles’ House (TAH) is a non-profit, nonsectarian organization devoted to providing comprehensive social services to homeless women and children and individuals or families at risk of homelessness in Newark and Essex County, New Jersey. TAH seeks to help homeless and at-risk families transition to more stable housing environments and become self-sufficient through an empowering environment. We strive to break the chain of homelessness through the provision of exceptional sheltering, purposeful programming and successful transition to permanent housing. We provide a living space that is sanitary, homelike and focused on maintaining the safety and security of all of our residents. We believe in enhancing the growth and development of our children by implementing effective programs and practices supplemental to the empowerment of the parents. We value every individual in our care and believe that they are entitled to programs and services that treat them with dignity and respect and concentrate on restoring them as productive individuals.

Women & Children's Emergency Shelter:

Each year, over 115 women and children call our emergency shelters on Grant Street home. Our multi two-story brick buildings offer a safe, nurturing, drug and alcohol-free environment for women and children in crisis. To stabilize each family, we don’t just address select areas; instead, we focus on the family as a whole by giving them the tools needed for a successful return as thriving and self-sufficient families. Our caring and compassionate social services team works closely with each family, providing job search assistance, counseling, and connections to childcare and medical services, household budget planning, and housing assistance.

Transitional Housing:

Through our Transitional Housing Program, our trained professionals and dedicated staff provide families with the support they need to move on to independent living. Located at 513-515 Avon Avenue in Newark, New Jersey, The Apostles’ House Transitional Housing facility boasts 15 fully furnished apartments and houses up to twenty-two families regardless of their family dynamics.

As an incentive to progress, we provide:

• Extensive case management services
• Skills development
• Job training in certified courses
• Workshops
• Assistance with acquiring permanent housing
• Support in reunifying family when appropriate
• Linkage to other community and social support services (e.d., counseling, subsidized housing, drug/alcohol rehabilitation)

Be The Key Program:

The “Be the Key” program is designed to empower our clients with essential job training skills to help ensure personal growth and stability. Clients who apply and are accepted attend a 6-8-week course at The Apostles’ House. Upon completion, the client has the option of enrolling in a SORA (Security Officer Registration Act) certification program, an HHA (Home Health Aide) course, or a CDA (Child Development Associate) course, free of charge. This two-part program commences with an eight-week Women Empowerment Workshop, provided by Beta Alpha Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to cover topics such as time management, personality assessments, skills assessments, resume writing, interviewing, budgeting, and emotional intelligence. Upon completion, the women then enroll in one of seven certificate courses currently being offered with all fees being covered by The Apostles’ House and partners. With the help of our program coordinator, every woman is able to leave our shelter with job security and the ability to earn a competitive wage. “Be the Key” graduates gain insight, confidence, and knowledge. But, most importantly, they gain skills needed for gainful and meaningful employment that is vital to their success once they move beyond the walls of The Apostles’ House.

Courses being offered include:

• Child Development Associate (CDA)
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN)
• Home Health Aide (HHA)
• Security Officer Registration Act (SORA)
• Cosmetology
• KG Technician
• Phlebotomy Technician

Parent Aide Program:

With the goal of keeping the family unit intact, the Parent Aide Program was implemented to work with families at risk for abuse or neglect. The program aims to help provide comprehensive services to families who are transitioning from at-risk status to more stable living conditions. Our Parent Aide program works with families identified by the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) to provide access to needed family services, act as a link to the children’s schools, and teach parenting and other necessitated skills to enhance family stability.

The program focuses on role modeling, individual training, demonstration, and training on topics such as:
• Parenting skills
• Managing difficult behavior and learning appropriate disciplining
• Care and maintenance of the home
• Health and safety needs of children
• Meal planning and preparation
• Personal care/hygiene
• Securing housing, food, and clothing accessing community resources, including emergency financial assistance drug treatment programs, and mental health services.

Rapid Re-housing:

TAH’s rapid Re-housing provides short-term rental assistance and services to clients who are moving out of our emergency shelters and transitional housing. Assistance is also available for Newark residents who have the opportunity to move into a more stable housing situation. Our goal is to help people obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency, and remain permanently housed. The resources and services provided are tailored to each individual’s needs and situation.

Assistance Provided:

• First month's rent
• Security deposit
• Short-term rental assistance