Even in our own community there are families who are living without housing. For more than 20 years, Inland Temporary Homes (ITH), a nonprofit organization, has intervened, providing shelter and eventually subsidized/transitional housing to homeless families with children. The organization is based in Loma Linda and was started in 1991 by members of the Loma Linda University Church.
Hundreds of families, who previously had lost all hope, have received immediate shelter and graduated into ITH housing units. While in the ITH program, each client family receives carefully designed case management. They are also assisted as they set goals, access mental health services, complete life skills classes, and find and maintain employment. At the end of the 21-month program, family members have typically found employment and the family transitions into stable, permanent housing.
On Tuesday, December 17, LLUH executive leadership council members presented a check to Jeff Little, CEO of ITH, and other representatives from the organization. The council had decided to forego the annual Christmas party and to donate the proceeds to ITH.
“Our mission at Inland Temporary Homes,” says Little, “is to break the cycle of homelessness for families with children in the Inland Empire by providing transitional housing, case management, and other supportive services to families who have no place to live.” He continues, “We are only able to pursue our mission with the help of our supporters like Loma Linda University Health, and its executive leadership council.”