Saint John's Program for Real Change

Saint John's mission is to unleash the potential of women and children in crises by breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence, one family at a time. Since 1985, we have provided more than 30,000 formerly homeless women and children with the tools to truly break the generational cycle of poverty.

Through our up-to-18-month program, we empower mothers to rise above devastating circumstances and achieve job-readiness and self-sustainability.

All clients receive the following services:
- MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: Women and children in our program receive family and individual therapy. Without mental stability, holding down a job and supporting a family just is not possible. Research shows more than half of homeless women experience mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety, and the trauma their children face can potentially spell a lifetime of devastation. Our clinical staff provides individual, group and family therapy for women and their children, crisis intervention and addiction rehabilitation. Through this process, women and children can reduce the heavy toll of mental health issues and make giant strides toward self-sustainability.
- SUPPORTIVE SERVICES: Women attend life-skills classes and receive individualized case management. Many of our clients became mothers in their teens and a lack of support and parenting skills is simply the norm for them. Parenting and healthy relationship education is an important component of the support we provide. As women progress through the program, additional assistance becomes available so they can commit fully to employment readiness. Through housing, transportation, and a comprehensive and coordinated program for children, families are able to enjoy a support structure during their recuperation, with the eventual goal of becoming self-sustaining.
- CAREER EDUCATION: Our Career Education and Placement Center (CEPC) provides career guidance, employability workshops, high school diploma preparation and attainment, financial coaching, job readiness services, computer literacy courses, and an in-house Employment Training Program. As a result, formerly homeless women end up more than prepared to embark on a path toward a successful career.
- ON-THE-JOB TRAINING: Over the course of our program, women gain up to 500 hours of on-the-job employment training through our social enterprises - Plates Catering and Red Door Desserts. By learning responsibility, accountability, work ethic, and teamwork, women become ready for gainful employment.