The facts ....
San Francisco is faced with an ever increasing homeless population. Additionally, within the core group of that population are a significant number of individuals who are gainfully employed within the City, who simply cannot afford housing. Equally limited, is the number of affordable housing units that are available at any given time. There are scores of individuals who have been on the City of San Francisco Priority 1 List for affordable housing for more than five (5) years.
In response, a number of people were consulted to figure out how to help these employed, but "unhoused", individuals in various areas of the City. On June 14, 2018, Project UPWARD BOUND was born on the philosophy that “We’re Not a Shelter!“ …. And that’s definitely a good thing.
As homelessness continues to grow nationwide, research reveals that Housing First—a best practice model that first connects people to permanent housing and then focuses on stabilization through voluntary supportive services, proved more effective.
Within the City and County of San Francisco, it is our goal to find permanent housing and provide case management, medical and mental healthcare, benefits advocacy, employment training, and other services to help them maintain their homes stably.
This will be accomplished through the efforts of Project Upward Bound in conjunction with the various corporations providing generous financial support; but also relying on social work and psychology programs of the universities within the city. This model has proven to work for other organizations without the assistance of city government.
MISSION & HISTORY
The Vision:
Project Upward Bound Inc. strives to realize a vision rebuilding lives, one individual at a time, by giving them a home (first), then then skills and resources to live the life the serve.
Mission Statement:
The mission of Project Upward Bound Inc. is to prevent and end homelessness for low-income homeless and disadvantaged individuals by providing housing and supportive services, and resources that lead to self-sufficiency.
History:
Project Upward Bound Inc. is an independent, charitable non-profit organization* founded June 14, 2018 in San Francisco to help alleviate the homeless crisis faced by those either gainfully employed or with marketable skills and the desire to get back into the work force., and existing within the City and County of San Francisco.
The creation of Project Upward Bound Inc., grows from the sincere needs to address the Number 1 aspect faced by the homeless within the city as it relates to individuals (who are employed or seeking meaningful employment) permanent housing first; while restoring each individual we serve to self-sufficiency and addressing their psychological, medical, social, employment, education and needs.
Philosophy:
We’re Not a Shelter ….. And that’s definitely a good thing. In short, we believe the model to help any individual out of homelessness combines individual esteem-boosting, housing with long-term wrap around case management services to address the true and underlying needs of those we serve with providing additional education and vocational training is the best solution.
*501(c)(3) pending.
