Program Highlight: The Family Place Supportive Living Program & Bilingual Services

The Family Place sets itself apart by offering its services and programs in both English and Spanish. Our bilingual staff are so important because many of our clients speak little to no English. Without bilingual case managers, counselors and support staff, many Spanish-speaking victims of family violence would not receive the proper resources and might not have their voices heard.  We can serve a much larger population by offering services in both English and Spanish and inform victims that there is always help available. With language barriers nearly eliminated, we can serve all people seeking services at The Family Place more effectively.

Ana Auces is a bilingual case manager who works with clients in our Supportive Living Program (SLP). SLP is our transitional housing program that provides 26 on-campus extended-stay apartments to individuals and families coming from one of our emergency shelters. As a case manager, her role is to assist clients with basic needs as well as meeting one-on-one to talk about their specific situation. She serves as a voice for victims during a time of change and transition for the families in our care.

Families that enter SLP are given a furnished apartment that includes bedding, basic food items, pots and pans, plates, utensils, and other necessities to get them started. From then on, clients are responsible for getting food and essentials on their own.

If they are not already working or going to school when entering SLP, clients will actively search for employment or further education opportunities, so they are prepared when they leave. By providing these clients with free housing, they can save money to support themselves and their families when they exit our care.

As Ana says, her goal is to “work together with The Family Place team to place our clients in a community where they feel the most comfortable while preparing them to be independent.”