Focusing on Prevention

As an organization working to meet the economic and social needs of people who are poor and homeless in the District of Columbia, we offer an integrated web of services to break the cycle of poverty that traps those seeking our help. Since many factors may contribute to a person's poverty, a multi-faceted approach is required to support that person in his or her quest for independence.

The first line of defense against poverty is meeting the emergency needs of our clients. Chronic food shortages, inability to pay rent and other emergencies are usually the first steps toward homelessness. It is only after addressing those needs can families begin taking steps to move up and out of poverty. Clients receiving emergency assistance also receive help in addressing their specific situations. 

A potential client's first contact with CFLS includes a meeting with an intake counselor, who assesses all their needs. Once they are placed in a CFLS program, the client works with a case manager to establish a plan to help them meet their main goal: to live a life of economic and social self-sufficiency and independence.