Carpenter’s Shelter proactively seeks to end homelessness by working with people at all stages of homelessness. The root causes of homelessness are multiple and complex, and Carpenter’s has developed a continuum of services. Our holistic approach to eliminating and preventing homelessness has resulted in six successful interrelated programs. Carpenter’s Shelter does not believe that homelessness is caused overnight; therefore it cannot be solved overnight. We rely on our strategic alliance partners to help combat homelessness through all our programs.

David’s Place Day Shelter: Open seven days a week, David’s Place is a safe alternative to street living. It offers showers, laundry and locker facilities, phone and voice mail services, a mailing address and outreach services such as substance abuse treatment, job search assistance, legal aid, medical care and art therapy.

Winter Shelter: Carpenter’s coordinates the Winter Shelter for the City of Alexandria from November to April offering shelter one night at a time from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day.

Residential Shelter: This 80-bed shelter offers temporary housing assistance to families and adults who are sober and willing to make life changes. Clients are required to work or seek full-time employment and agree to work with the case management team to address their reason for homelessness.

Transitional Housing: This program consists of four off-site apartments for families and adults. In conjunction with the Aftercare program, we continue case management and services to these shelter graduates as they take major steps to self-reliance.

Aftercare: Our largest program, Aftercare continues case management and the coordination of services for shelter graduates living independently in the community on a voluntary basis. Aftercare was established to help reinforce the life skills clients need to live successfully on their own.

Education Program: This important, life-enhancing program concentrates on client career and education advancements. The Education Program networks with other nonprofits partners and schools for resources and offers scholarships and classes focused on improving the family’s quality of life.