From Marginalized to Mainstreamed: The HEART Project Empowers the Homeless

An Analysis Of, and Different Approach To, Challenges in Foster Care Practice in South Africa

“…are relevant in this context." Goetz and Schmiege (1996) conducted an evaluation which focused on employment as a pathway out of homelessness. They evaluated the Homeless Employment and Related Training (HEART) project which was based in Oregon, USA.…”

“…They were also given psycho-social support in many forms. For example, participants were referred to outpatient rehabilitation centres, and given access to anger management classes and trained counsellors (Goetz & Schmiege, 1996).…”

“…This programme was successful as over 60% of participants had found employment at the end of the programme and 65% had moved into permanent housing (Goetz & Schmiege, 1996). It should be noted that no long-term follow up was conducted and it is not known how effective the programme is over time.…”

“…However, there appear to be certain conditions which the employment opportunities must meet in order to help clients get off the street. Firstly, there must be long-term support once the client is employed (Chamberlain & Johnson, 2008;Goetz & Schmiege, 1996;Hursch & Schutt, 2009). Secondly, these employment opportunities must be close to available and accessible accommodation (Cross & Seager, 2010a, 2010b or the participants run the risk of losing their jobs due to poor performance.…”

“…Secondly, these employment opportunities must be close to available and accessible accommodation (Cross & Seager, 2010a, 2010b or the participants run the risk of losing their jobs due to poor performance. Goetz and Schmiege (1996) make it explicit that their participants were given accommodation because they did not want participants to have to worry about daily struggles while learning a new skill. They also argue for a third condition, which is that job training needs to be done in collaboration with industry stakeholders.…”