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Community Impact
Prior to the establishment of Safe Harbor's low-demand shelter in 1992, homeless
people routinely slept along the streets and alleys of West Chester. They were
tired, frustrated, hungry and had no alternatives to help themselves. There was
also ongoing conflict with merchants, community leaders and the police.
Not only does Safe Harbor provide the opportunities the homeless need,
it has helped to raise the community's awareness of the plight of these
individuals and removed the tensions that existed. Many local businesses not
only support our program; they find among our residents a pool of ready and
willing workers looking for another chance to regain their self-respect and
independence. Without the presence of Safe Harbor, there would be no option for
many of these people and a beacon of light that has served the homeless in this
affluent community of Chester County would be extinguished.
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Impact on Target Population
Our target population is the chronic, marginal and transitionally homeless
people of Chester County and the surrounding areas. Safe Harbor serves homeless
people who have lost their jobs and/or homes as well as the working poor. We are
especially open to the most hopeless among the homeless community: those with
addictions or mental health issues who are too unstable for other shelters or
programs in the area.
Safe Harbor impacts individuals in various ways.
For each person coming to our shelter, the volunteers and staff are a constant
reminder that their lives are valued. The support each resident receives also
introduces him or her to the resources that are available to them from addiction
treatment to job training to health care. Our program seeks to empower
individuals by encouraging them to continue to use the services available to
help them towards their recovery. The most importance impact is to show people
how to be responsible for themselves and to change their lifestyles and habits
so that they can maintain their self-esteem and independence.
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Safe Harbor of Greater West Chester
20 North Matlack Street
West Chester, PA 19380
610-692-6550
Shelter@SafeHarborofGWC.Org
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©2010 Safe Harbor of Greater West Chester
©2010 All photographs by Daniel Williams Photography, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Unlawful to Reproduce
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