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Open Arms Program - Shelter and Social Service Center
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The Open Arms Program is a 38 bed shelter for single
homeless men which
began operating in 1989. It has established itself as a model program.
The program
provides a full range of services for residents 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week.
Along with caring and effective staff workers, Open Arms offers a
number of on-site
services.
86 East Post Road, White Plains, NY 10601
Phone: 914-948-5044 or Fax: 914-948-9059
Referral From: Westchester County Department of Social Services
While the root of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing,
residents are
challenged to work on those issues that they can change until they move
out into a
place they can call their own. Through a supportive staff, including
case managers
helping residents with individualized goals, residents are able to
build a
positive self-image, further education, obtain jobs, and become better
equipped
for permanent housing. Volunteers also provide services as well as
friendly support.
Many of the staff workers have been through similar difficult life
experiences.
They now serve as positive role models, showing residents that they too
can succeed.
Open Arms has received numerous awards and much publicity as hundreds
of residents
have successfully moved out of the shelter system.
On-Site Services
- Shelter, meals, clothing, showers, counselilng, transportation,
recreation.
- Intensive drug/alchoholism treatment five days a week, provided
by Innovation Health Systems.
- Part-time clinical psychologist.
- A satellite Mental Health Clinic with a psychiatrist, provided by
New York
Hospital - Cornell Medical Center, White Plains.
- G.E.D. educational training program, sponsored by Rochambeau
School.
- Referrals and assistance in finding job and housing.
A part-time chaplain and numerous volunteers also serve at Open
Arms. Although
Open Arms operates under contract with the Westchester County
Department of Social
Services, voluntary donations have made a difference in the program's
quality of
services.
Words of a former resident:
"I had forgotten what bathing and eating was all about.
My body was torn down and my mind full of doubt.
I came to the place where I used to rest
And along this road this stop was the best.
It's a safe haven that protects again harms.
It's the place that's correctly named 'Open Arms'."
Open Arms is operated by Grace Church Community Center, Inc.
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