Abba House is Downtown Women's Center long-term shelter for homeless women in addiction recovery and their children. Davy Jenkins a degreed social worker oversees their recovery. The home consists of ten efficiency apartments with private kitchens and bedrooms. Four of the apartments are designed for the women to have up to two of their children living with them. The women share bath, laundry and living areas.
The women in Abba House have the privilege of living with us for up to two years. This extended time allows them to find jobs and begin saving for a car along with meeting other financial obligations they may have. Without the long-term option, many of these women would find themselves back on the streets, continuing in the cycle of addiction and homelessness.
DWC assumed ownership of The Haven in April, 2007. DWC changed the name to Haven House. Ann Sanders is our LCDC and oversees the women in their recovery process. Haven House has four bedrooms in a dormitory setting that was built in 2000. Three of the bedrooms have four beds each while one larger bedroom has five beds. The women share three large bath areas and a laundry facility.
The original house was built in 1913 and is listed on the National Historic Registry. The large, commercial kitchen and dining area and two living areas are located in this part of the facility. The women share cooking and cleaning responsibilities and eat all of their meals together. The administrative offices are in the original house.
Most of the women enter Haven House directly off the streets. Many have not been sober for twenty-four hours prior to this move. Haven House is NOT a treatment center but is the initial phase in a recovery program. As space permits, women are moved from Haven House to Abba House to continue in their recovery.
The residents of both Abba House and Haven House are held accountable through individual counseling with our staff LCDC. They also receive social services aid with the help of a case manager. Our entire staff works with the residents to help them remain alcohol and drug free through positive reinforcement of spiritual, physical, and emotional values.
Downtown Women's Center contracts with the City of Amarillo to provide housing to homeless people coming out of one of the area's six homeless shelters. Misti Ebenkamp a degreed social worker oversees this two-year program designed to assist individuals and families get back on their feet and work towards self-sufficiency. The City of Amarillo provides rental assistance and DWC supplies the case management. The homes and apartments available for transitional housing are located throughout the city. We can serve a maximum of 36 families and six single adults
Residents enrolled in the Transitional Housing Program are required to attend a monthly group meeting and three other contacts with a case manager. They also are subject to home visits. Participants work on life skills, parenting, budgeting, and credit counseling. On completion of the program, the participants may move into permanent housing, possibly working toward home ownership.
Although many of the women (and their children) who have completed the Abba House program make Transitional Housing their next step, the program is not limited to DWC residents. Other agencies working with the homeless also make referrals to our program. Check out our picnic recently held for out Transitional housing Clients.
