The Episcopal Homeless Initiative is a joint effort led by St. Luke' Episcopal Health Charities and The Episcopal Diocese of Texas to convene homeless service providers and supporting churches to work together to find solutions to common challenges and improve effectiveness and sustainability through shared resources and outcomes.
The Episcopal Homeless Advisory Council was formed in October 2009 to provide guidance for the initiative. Current members include program directors and board members representing The Beacon at Christ Church Cathedral, Community of the Streets at Trinity Episcopal Church and The Way Station at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, St. Martin's Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and St. Luke's Episcopal Health Charities (the Charities).
The Episcopal Homeless Advisory Council has worked to expand case management services in order to effectively stabilize the lives of the homeless and to help prevent at-risk families from becoming homeless. The group applied for and received a $1.25 million grant to expand/case management services through the training and utilization of volunteer case managers at The Beacon, Community of the Streets and Palmer Way Station and Community of the Streets and the partnership is open to other homeless service providers and other faiths. The grant started in February 2010 and concludes in August 2011
In addition, the Advisory Council works strives to provide a coordinated Diocesan-wide (One Church) effort to address the identified needs of the homeless and provide shared solutions and outcomes throughout the 57-county Diocese.
