Community Family Life Services Inc

CFLS serves the city of Washington, D.C. through its homeless and emergency services programs, serving nearly 4,000 of Washington’s neediest individuals, including children, each year.

CFLS responds to the immediate and long-term needs of homeless and low-income families and individuals in Washington, D.C. by providing them with tools they need to move themselves beyond poverty and homelessness into permanent self-sufficiency.

CFLS has two primary goals: (1) to provide short-term crisis assistance and (2) to empower individuals and families to change their lives over the long term.

"I have one child and my husband passed away. We were living from house to house and I had no job. I attended a job training program and now I'm a certified Phlebotomist.  I had lost hope, but with a wonderful staff at CFLS, I found my faith and successfully reached my goals.” L.K.

“Being a part of CFLS has been one of the greatest experiences. When the average person walks past a homeless person they…just think that they are 'homeless' because they want to be. We have people who have lost their jobs, family, and may even have an illness. This experience has taught me never judge anyone because some are just blessed more than others.” M.P.

"I love to meet with my mentor. She is someone to call and to talk about situations and…was always there to support me and my daughter. One of my highest goals, and for me almost impossible goal, (I’m in my 40ies) was to obtain my High School Diploma. I will be graduating on June 10, 2011!!!!!Life is soo good. I’m looking forward to a bright and successful future. I will stay in touch-and thank you from the bottom of my heart for walking with me the extra mile.” C.D.

Last year, CFLS provided the following services to individuals and families like L.K., M.P., and C.D.:

• Housing and housing case management to 69 persons
• Financial assistance and walk in referrals to 410 persons
• Emergency clothing to 1,743 persons
• Breakfast and emergency food to 1,013 persons
• Groceries to 444 seniors
• Job placement for 50 persons
• Transitional housing for 11 families
• Academic enrichment and summer programs for 95 children
• Improved academic outcomes for 76% of children in after school program
• Mentoring to 35 families
• Mentoring to 39 foster children
• Parenting training to 15 families

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