GARY | Sojourner Truth House has received a grant of $25,000 from the Anderson Foundation.
The grant will provide funds for case management, child care for clients' children, and educational programs for clients.
Sojourner Truth House is a day shelter for homeless and needy women and children in Northwest Indiana.
Women come to Sojourner Truth House straight off the street or they are picked up by van from nearby homeless shelters. Annually Sojourner Truth House serves more than 11,000 clients through its food pantry, clothes closet, drug and alcohol counseling and group sessions, and assisting homeless clients into permanent housing, according to a news release.
The agency also provides access to a myriad of other community services available through partner agencies via referrals and the provision of transportation services.
During several months in 2007, the agency served more than 1,000 clients per month - a trend that indicates that although Sojourner Truth and other agencies in the community are working at capacity to serve the needs of the poor, those needs often out-strip available services.
The fastest growing population of homelessness is among young female heads of household, with two to three children, according to the release. On any given night in Lake County, there are more that 600 people who are homeless.
The agency is a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, an international congregation of women religious within the Roman Catholic Church, and is administered by Ancilla Systems Incorporated.
Sojourner Truth House is supported by grants and private donations, as well as by donations of food and clothing. All contributions are tax-deductible. Sister Peg Spindler is the director.
For further information about Sojourner Truth House, to help or to volunteer, visit www.sojournertruthhouse.com or call (219) 885-2282.
- For The Times
