The “Grace House” Transitional Residence Program (“GH” TRP) is a shelter which provides a unified delivery of vital community services to homeless parolees (individuals recently released from a New York State correctional facility) who statistically return to the community unprepared to reintegrate and become productive members of society. These men are unable to find suitable housing and are all homeless upon their release from incarceration.

The individuals have remaining parole time to serve and in some cases are serving a life sentence. The individuals may have physical limitations as well as parole restrictions on geographical movement. The individuals may need daily medicine administration or have needs related to HIV/AIDS. Often, these individuals struggle with emotional disorders, mental health issues and addictive behaviors.

The residents of “Grace House” are held accountable for their Parole reporting mandates, are mentored and introduced to life skills training, and are equipped with skills necessary to manage life affairs and become productive members of society. Length of stay is up to one year, while the average length of stay is four to six months.

The men commit to a 30, 60 or 90 day minimum stay, depending on Parole mandates and risk assessment review. The “Grace House” staff screens and refers residents to agencies that meet needs or can provide assistance with resident case requirements. Case Managers assess individual needs, introducing social programming as individually required. Residents also have access to welfare-to-work job training, family restoration programs, youth initiatives, mentoring, intervention and life skills training to prevent homelessness, encouraging individuals to become and maintain being productive members of society.

Existing programs in Buffalo and Rochester service a population that would have statistically returned to prison at a rate of about 70%. The “Grace House” program has been able to turn this recidivism rate around – between 70-80% of “Grace House” clients successfully complete the program and are able to move into independent housing. The agency is in the planning stages for developing “Grace House” programs in Syracuse, Brooklyn, Dansville, and Elmira, New York.

There are also many ways our residents assist our neighbors and improve the community where we are located. Examples are shoveling, landscaping, home improvement.

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