Services & Programs

About Our Programs

Friends of the Homeless strives to assist residents in breaking the cycle of homelessness, and that to do so, individuals and families need to be equipped with the life and employment skills necessary to survive and thrive in independent living.

In an effort to provide residents with the means to acquire these skills, Friends of the Homeless has created a system by which each individual and family’s needs are assessed through one-on-one case management. Residents are made aware of their mandatory groups, as determined for each case, and are provided with the opportunity to participate in a number of additional programs designed to provide education and personal enrichment.

Every program offered by Friends of the Homeless is free of charge, and while there are many that are listed, some may not be. Please feel free to contact the shelter at 330-602-6100 to learn more about what programs are currently being offered to our residents or how you can get involved with our programming.

Our Services

food box representing emergency food pantry service at friends of the homeless

Emergency Food Pantry

Friends of the Homeless is equipped with an Emergency Food Pantry. We follow the guidelines of the Akron Canton Food Bank and are able to provide those in need with food boxes. Proper state identification is required to obtain a box. Each box, depending on household size, is equipped with enough food for 3 days. Food Box pick up hours: 9am to 7pm Monday - Friday.

Friends of the Homeless of Tuscarawas County van

Transport

The Reeves Foundation generously donated a van for transportation for the guests. Transportation is provided to guests for the first 2 weeks of employment, upon which they can use SEA or Horizons. Guests can be transported to medical or legal appointments, employment within the Dover-New Phila area, and interviews. The residents can also use Horizons, the Senior Center, or SEA to other places in the county for a nominal fee.

soup kitchen image representing free dinner at friends of the homeless

Dinner

Every night from 5pm to 6pm, dinner is served for anyone in the community that may need a meal. We are blessed to have such a supportive community that donates dinner to the shelter nightly. If anyone would like to donate or help with a meal, please contact the shelter.

volunteers representing volunteer opportunities at friends of the homeless

Community Service Site

Friends of the Homeless is considered a community service site. For more information, please contact the shelter 330.602.6100 ext 303.

two women meeting representing housing referrals at friends of the homeless

Housing Assistance & Referrals

At Friends of the Homeless we have access to a few of the housing assistance programs within our county and surrounding areas. HCRP and TBRA are just a few of the programs that we have available. Please contact the shelter for more information.

group of people sitting in circle representing support group at friends of homeless

Support Meetings

Sober Support is a meeting open to the public held 2 times each week (Thur. & Sat.) at noon on the 3rd floor of the shelter at 211 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia.

Case Management

Friends of the Homeless does not operate like many other homeless shelters; residents do not come in for a night, only to be kicked out the next morning with no guarantee of a bed when they return. Upon entering the shelter, residents are required to meet with a case manager to complete an intake packet, which includes some medical history and a background check. Because we house families, we are unable to bring in those with a history of violent or sexual crimes or arson. Residents are entered into a 90-day program, with the possibility of extensions as needed.

Once moved in, residents meet with a case manager on a regular basis to determine what services they are in need of for their individual situations. Participation in groups, as well as job searching and appointments with service agencies, are laid out in each case plan, as well as an exit strategy. The goal of case management at the shelter is not how to provide our residents with the minimum to survive, but to assist them in attaining stable housing and lives so they can leave the shelter to become active members of the community.