March 2009

CFLS is 40 years old

On April 29th, CFLS will honor its Founders at the 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Auction.  The Gala will be held at the Organization of American States and we expect up to 250 guests.

CFLS was founded in 1969 by members of First Trinity Lutheran Church to provide support for ex-offenders and their families through direct services such as food, clothing and transportation assistance, employment assistance.  The programs were designed to help people and their families take the first steps out of a life o poverty.

CFLS has grown and evolved to meet the changing needs of low-income and  homeless families and individuals.  CFLS has a long and successful history helping our clients address the multiplicity of factors that contribute to poverty: from accurate and thorough assessments at intake to services and support for every member of the family.  We achieve our goals through a web of interconnected services provided by staff and volunteers in these major areas: housing services, supportive services & community outreach; and youth development and advocacy.  Since 1969, CFLS has grown from a three-person operation to a multi-million dollar organization, moving into the low-income housing market and related fields of social entrepreneurship, employment, adult education, and family and child services.

*********************

Trinity Arms Transitional Housing Program ranks 14th in the District of Columbia. 

During FY 2007/2008, CFLS provided:

• 94 units of housing for individuals and families
• Transitional housing for 19 families with 70% of families reporting an increase in income and 100% moving to permanent housing.
• Single Room Occupancy housing for 35 single adults
• 40 units of housing for persons with HIV
• Employment for an additional 102 clients through CFLS' Employment Development and Placement services.

Trinity Arms Success Story

Christine arrived at CFLS with her 8-week old baby--tired and homeless after being refused assistance by numerous other agencies.  According to Christine, CFLS was her last hope.  We enrolled her into the Trinity Arms Program and provided Christine and her baby a place to call home....a new start.

Christine received case management services and life coaching around goal setting, financial management, parenting, increasing income, permanent housing, and more.  Christine was an active participant and in her weekly support group she reported that these sessions were essential to helping her build her self-confidence.

During her stay at Trinity Arms, Christine was able to secure employment, improve her education and significantly improve her income through promotions at work.  Christine's daughter has thrived in this stable, loving home environment -- she attends day-car and is hitting all the age appropriate milestones. 

Three months ago, Christine and baby moved into market rate permanent housing.  This is the essence of CFLS' mission -  hope and the opportunity for families to start again and attain independence.