Housing & Homeless Outreach

• Supervised group living: Is a residential option that is often a step-down from hospitalization. Staff is on-site 24/7 to assist with your transition back into the community and the average length of stay is three to 12 months. These locations offer shared living space with other residents.
• Transitional living facilities: Are short-term housing opportunities that require tenants to have a willingness and readiness to engage in supportive services. Transitional living facilities have staff on site occasionally for group and individual work. A primary goal of transitional living is working towards permanent housing.
• Independent housing: Is comprised of apartment buildings in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties. Independent housing does not require engagement in services, but support is available and encouraged.
• Rental assistance for individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness/substance use disorder:  Are subsidized apartment units that are designated for seriously mentally ill adults who are homeless. Individuals who are connected to Oaklawn services can ask for a referral from their provider
• Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): Are subsidized apartment buildings and scattered sites throughout Elkhart and St. Joseph counties. PSH is based upon the evidence-based Housing First model. Housing First prioritizes housing individuals first, then providing voluntary wraparound services. Individuals are referred to PSH through Coordinated Entry. Coordinated entry processes aim to prioritize assistance for individuals based upon vulnerability and severity of service needs. PATH Outreach Specialists can assist individuals with the Coordinated Entry process.

Each housing option has specific requirements that must be met to utilize services. Oaklawn clients can ask their provider for a referral to Oaklawn’s housing services.

The PATH program (Projects for Assistance in the Transition from Homelessness) provides outreach, engagement, and services to people who are experiencing homelessness and have a mental illness and/or a substance use disorder. PATH specialists can help people access Coordinated Entry, attain emergency shelter, apply for housing, and connect to mental health treatment, government resources, and community partners. While PATH does not directly provide housing, outreach specialists provide the supportive services to guide individuals to stable housing. Kevin Farmwald is the PATH team leader and can be contacted at 574.536.8711 or at kevin.farmwald@oaklawn.org.

Visit one of our PATH walk-in times to speak to a PATH Outreach Specialist. You do not need to call to schedule an appointment. Visit during any of the days/times listed below at the location convenient for you. Walk-in locations and hours are:

Goshen

• Mondays 9-11:30 a.m.-The Window, 223 S. Main St.*
• Wednesdays 9-11:30 a.m.-The Window 223 S. Main St.

Elkhart

• Mondays 9 a.m.-12 p.m.-Guidance Ministries, 216 N. 2nd St.*
• Mondays 1-3 p.m. – Oaklawn, Elkhart campus, 2600 Oakland Ave.
• Wednesdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m.-Guidance Ministries, 216 N. 2nd St.*
• Thursdays 9-11 a.m.-Saving Grace, 405 W. Beardsley Ave.
• Fridays 1-3 p.m. – Guidance Ministries, 216 N. 2nd St.*

South Bend

• Mondays 8:30-10 a.m.-Broadway Church, 1412 Carroll St.*
• Tuesdays 12-2:30 p.m.- South Bend Library, 304 S. Main St. (room L215)
• Wednesdays 12 -3 p.m.- Oaklawn, South Bend campus, 415 E. Madison St.
• Thursdays 9 a.m.-noon-Monroe City Circle, 526 W Western Ave.*
• Fridays 8:30-10 a.m.-Our Lady of the Road, 744 S. Main St.

*PATH peer support professional at location

Oaklawn provides services at Motels4Now, a low-barrier shelter based on the Housing First model. Housing First provides shelter with few prerequisites and offers services to individuals who wish to engage. The goal is to provide housing stability so that individuals have an opportunity to work on other areas of their life. Oaklawn staff assists individuals with access to mental health and substance use treatment, primary care, employment, and documentation necessary for housing. This program, that houses over 100 individuals at any given time, aims to address homelessness in St. Joseph county and is operated by Our Lady of the Road. If you would like to get on the waitlist for Motels4Now, you can sign up at Our Lady of the Road (744 S Main St, South Bend, IN 46601) during the Friday Breakfast shift from 8 – 10 a.m.