Community, Youth and Women’s Alliance (CYWA) 

Was founded in the late 1800’s in Coatesville. CYWA provides temporary shelter and refuge to homeless single women and women with children seeking help because of poverty, abandonment, abuse, mental health and addiction challenges. Here women can receive intensive case management services to move them into self-sufficiency and independence. The CYWA has 25 beds.

W.C. Atkinson 

Founded in 1983 and located in Coatesville, offers a continuum of housing that runs from an emergency shelter through to permanent housing for single men. The agency is unique in that its shelter staff is comprised predominantly of former shelter residents and more than 200 men are sheltered annually. W.C. Atkinson has 22 beds.

Safe Harbor of Greater West Chester 

Was organized in response to a need identified by the Chester County Task force in 1992. Safe Harbor’s mission is to provide housing, food and access to support services in a structured environment for homeless single men and homeless single women. Safe Harbor has 20 beds for single women and 20 beds for single men.

Friends Association 

Started as an orphanage in 1822 Philadelphia, and then in 1974 it became a shelter in West Chester. The agency helps homeless or near homeless families stabilizes their lives and find or maintain permanent housing. The shelter program combines a private, safe setting and necessities with effective, individualized case management services. Friends Association has 21 beds.

Good Samaritan Shelter

Like many similar grassroots initiatives, began as a response to homeless men coming to a community church in Phoenixville and asking for help. Opening its doors in 1999, Good Samaritan Shelter provides emergency shelter and transitional housing. Case managers work closely with residents to help them regain stability in their lives and address the issues surrounding their homelessness. Good Samaritan has recently merged with Bridge of Hope Lancaster and Chester County and has now become Good Samaritan Services. The men’s shelter has 7 beds.

Kennett Area Community Services (KACS) 

Began over 60 years ago and provides food and emergency housing assistance. The KACS Emergency Assistance Program offers case management, referral services and financial assistance for rent, utilities and other needs. This program also works to resolve homelessness through homeless prevention and rapid rehousing services. KACS provided motel room fees for 236 nights in 2016.

Open Hearth 
 
A private, non-profit organization, provides innovative programs to help Chester County residents end the cycle of homelessness and achieve financial self-sufficiency. Open Hearth’s Housing Contingency Fund provides emergency housing/respite hotel funds for individuals who are experiencing homelessness and have a serious and persistent mental illness. In this capacity, Open Hearth serves as the portal into the coordinated entry system for mental health consumers.

1.Educate yourself about the root causes of homelessness and share what you've learned with family and friends.  Visit National Alliance to End Homelessness to learn more.

2.Advocate by contacting your local, state and federal elected officials to let them know how important the issue of homelessness is and urge them to take action.  To learn more about advocating, visit National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania.

3.Refer those in need to local organizations and support resources. For more information check out:

Chester County Human Services Map
Chester County Community Resource Guide
Chester County ReferWeb

4.Interested in making a long term impact? Email Decade to Doorways at D2D@chesco.org, to learn ways in which you can contribute to an innovative initiative that will bring and end to homelessness in Chester County.

5.Learn more about how Decade to Doorways is ending homelessness in Chester County by subscribing to the D2D newsletter and Chester County's Department of Community Development newsletter.

WEST CHESTER — Following news of the recent report of a four-year decline of homelessness in Chester County, the county commissioners gathered recently with representatives from regional organizations that support the efforts to end homelessness, to recognize the great work of the local service partners who participate in Chester County’s Decade to Doorways initiative.

At the Decade to Doorways event, held at the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center in West Chester, County Department of Community Development staff and the Commissioners highlighted the power of the Decade to Doorways partnerships, which are contributing to the decline in chronic homelessness.

In addition, plans for the next actions in the Decade to Doorways program were introduced, focusing on breaking the stigma of the homeless experience and developing unwavering compassion and support for men, women and children experiencing homelessness.


In her remarks, and in noting the County’s rapid rate of growth, Commissioner Michelle Kichline said, “Chester County is deeply committed to a ‘housing first’ approach, with a priority to provide more affordably-priced housing.

“Research proves that in order to help individuals achieve long-term success we have to identify the best resources for housing first. A permanent roof over your head sets the foundation for overcoming many obstacles, be they mental or physical challenges, job and career placement challenges, social development or substance-abuse challenges or domestic violence challenges.”

Commissioner Kathi Cozzone shared her passion for creating dynamic support systems that ensure those in need are being advocated appropriately, especially children and youth. “This year’s Point-in-Time count revealed that Chester County had at least 35 children from infancy to age 12 who are without a home.

“Compared to the national average this number may seem small, but one child without a home is one too many. In providing unwavering community support through workforce and workplace initiatives, mental health awareness and training and other efforts, we can go beyond just providing a home, to helping individuals and families sustain and maintain their homes.”

Commenting on the next steps in the Decade to Doorways campaign to break the stigma of homelessness, Commissioner Terence Farrell noted, West Chester“Chester County is well known for its innovative approach to many issues, and we West Chester have organizations and individuals with a sincere passion to challenge thinking when it comes to perceived stigmas.

Homelessness

A family where a parent lost their job and can no longer afford housing. It may be the face of a child who is just entering middle school, whose single-parent lost their home over the summer and now they stay in a shelter. It appears in the life of a recent college graduate who cannot find a job leading to self-sufficiency. Another victim of homelessness could be a mother with a stable job, but she had to flee her housing because of domestic violence. Affected too is the Veteran, who served our country for many years but returned home to find that is was difficult to re-enter society.

Chester County’s ten year plan

Decade to Doorways is Chester County’s ten year plan to prevent and end homelessness. It’s a collaboration of consumers, government entities, service providers, educators, healthcare practitioners, faith communities, funders, businesses, and people from the general public aiming to effectively end homelessness by 2022.

The Impact

Decade to Doorways and Chester County recognized the tireless efforts and significant progress of the Decade to Doorways partnership of local agencies, businesses, faith communities, and neighbors in ending homelessness in Chester County by 2022.
Decade to Doorways announced the new public awareness campaign to showcase the behind the scenes active compassion and unwavering support that the partnership provides to our community on a daily basis.