The Shelter is open 24 hours a day and families may reside in the Shelter for a maximum of 90 days. The Shelter’s current capacity is 24 women and children who are generally referred to PV Shelter from other social service agencies, schools, civic and/or religious organizations.

There are occassionally density issues, and currently no capacity for women with older male children (age is limited to 12 years old). PV Shelter is a collaborator with several community agencies to provide coordinated case management support. Shelter residents sign a contract to abide by strict program requirements. Shelter clients develop written individual life plans with their case manager to find jobs, housing, immigration assistance, counseling, education, language programs, parenting and budgeting skills and how to access community resources.

Each family is expected to save a substantial portion of their income from any source as well as establish at least five self-sufficiency goals. As a result of this “tough love” approach, 73% of Shelter families during the past year have moved to stable housing, 50% had savings upon their departure and 55% had met at least three of the five “self-sufficiency goals.”