An in-depth, long-term transitional program to move homeless and other at-risk men off city streets and into jobs and self-sufficient lives has begun in Danbury.
Called the Good Samaritan Mission, the faith-centered effort by Jericho Partnership includes shelter for up to 16 men in two-man rooms with private bathrooms, and transitional programs that will include recovery from addictions, and job training, employment and coaching. The Mission will be housed in a three-story building on Maple Avenue, across the street from Jericho’s seasonal homeless shelter in the city’s downtown. Jericho opened the seasonal shelter five years ago.
This new program is being run in partnership with Christian Community Outreach Ministries, a model in practice in more than 300 other sites across the country.
Executive Director Carrie Amos says she's heard many stories about being homeless, about the pain of addiction and family turmoil, and feeling helpless and devalued in Danbury.
Amos says over the past several months, Jericho staff met with homeless individuals and groups serving them, as well as downtown retailers and city police to formulate a strategy to help the homeless with transformative programs.
Jericho Partnership is an umbrella organization for 24 urban and suburban churches and 10 hands-on transformative ministries to the city’s youth, homeless and other at-risk communities.
