Family Friends Program 
Office - 3025 W. Mitchell Street (53215)
(414) 385-0854
Program Description
The Family Friends Program works with formerly homeless families who have made the transition from shelter into their own homes in the community. Family Friends is unique in that it provides assistance from program case managers who focus on maintaining family stability as well as in-home support from older volunteers, the actual family friends of the program. Family Friends have weekly in-home contact with their families and offer them encouragement and guidance in many areas such as budgeting, parenting, meal planning, employment search and others according to need. The families are enrolled in the program for a period of six months.
Eligibility
Clients must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a family unit with dependent children under the age of 18 (can be either female or male single parents or married couples)
- Must be low-income
- Must be referred to Family Friends by a homeless shelter
- Must have documented income sufficient to pay rent and utilities each month
- Must be a resident of Milwaukee County
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I enroll in the program?
A. You will be referred by a shelter case manager. You will then meet with the Family Friends personnel to be interviewed and to complete an application. If it is determined that Family Friends can work with your family, you will be assigned to a case manager who will begin formal intake into the program and help you establish your goals for the time you are enrolled in Family Friends.
Q. How long does the program last?
A. Each family is enrolled for a period of six months during which they receive services from both a case manager and a volunteer, the Family Friend. An initial meeting (match) with Family Friend program personnel, the volunteer, and family come together for introduction and detail of program expectations and goals.
Q. How often will I meet with Family Friends?
A. You will have a home visit with your Family Friend each week while you are enrolled in Family Friends. Contact with your case manager is also weekly and includes either in-home or phone contact.
Q. What happens at the home visits?
A. The volunteer will be able to assist in a number of areas with the emphasis on building your life skills as well as offering support and encouragement. They may also spend time with your children engaged in activities which you approve.
Q. What other services do you provide?
A. Family Friends case managers offer services such as information and referrals, advocacy with landlords, assistance with accessing community resources in addition to traditional case management.
Location / Hours
The Family Friends Program is located within the
Family Support Center
3025 W. Mitchell Street
Milwaukee, WI 53215
Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday
Contact Information
Please contact
Bernice Vega
Family Friends Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: 414-385-0854 ext. 1202
Mobile: 414-406-1136
Fax: 414-385-0861
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