Lords Place Inc

Community engagement:the agency operated the largest street outreach program by geographic area in palm beach county, florida, serving over 800 unsheltered individuals. This program addressed immediate needs by providing food, hygiene products, blankets, identification assistance, housing navigation, and referrals to mental health and substance use treatment services. More than 400 individuals were connected to housing, including reunification with family and friends, secured rental housing, or accessed emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and supportive housing programs. The agency is the designated projects for assistance in transition from homelessness (path) provider for palm beach county, delivering outreach and case management services to individuals experiencing homelessness and co-occurring serious mental illness. In the past year, 90 individuals were served, with over 40% connected to the agency's ssi/ssdi outreach, access, and recovery (soar) program. This program utilized a national best-practice model to help individuals with disabilities experiencing homelessness access social security benefits and healthcare. Among path program participants who exited, 72% transitioned to stable housing. The agency also employed trained staff to facilitate the soar process for individuals experiencing homelessness. Last year, 57 social security benefit applications were submitted, with an approval rate of 69% substantially higher than florida's statewide approval average.

Job training & employment:the agency provided comprehensive employment services for over 350 adults who were experiencing homelessness and unemployment. These services included job coaching, job skills training, cognitive-behavioral intervention instruction, adult basic education, ged preparation tutoring, and job placement and retention support. A cornerstone of the agency's offerings was its innovative culinary program, which combines hands-on vocational training with cognitive-behavioral intervention. The program equips formerly homeless apprentices with the skills needed for employment in roles such as sous chefs, line cooks, and other restaurant positions. Apprentices train alongside professional chefs while providing hundreds of free, gourmet meals weekly at the agency's cafe joshua. Through this job training initiative, more than 150 participants enhanced their job skills annually, with 80 successfully securing employment, demonstrating the program's impact on building self-sufficiency and fostering long-term stability.

Re-entry:the agency's reentry program supported over 150 adults annually as they transition back into the community following incarceration. The program offered comprehensive services, including case management, job training, peer support, healthcare coordination, referrals to community-based mental health and substance use treatment, housing navigation and placement, family reunification assistance, and more. As a result of these efforts, more than 85% of participants avoided re-arrest for at least one year after enrollment, reflecting the program's success in fostering stability and reducing recidivism. Beyond direct services, the reentry program actively participated in reentry coalitions, collaborative initiatives, and advocacy efforts to address systemic criminal justice issues and improve outcomes for individuals affected by incarceration.clinical and care coordination services:the agency's counseling, access, recovery, and education (care) team provided integrated healthcare support and coordination for over 100 unhoused individuals who were experiencing acute and/or chronic physical and behavioral health conditions. This multidisciplinary team included a licensed clinical social worker, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, a recovery coordinator, a certified community health worker, and other key members of clients' support systems, such as housing staff, case managers, job coaches, and benefits navigators. The care team delivered a wide range of services, including care coordination, medical advocacy, psychiatric assessments, treatment planning, medication management, crisis intervention, recovery support, and assistance with preventative and primary healthcare. Staff assisted clients with scheduling and attending healthcare appointments, following treatment plans, monitoring health indicators (e.g., blood pressure, diabetes management, wound care), managing health insurance, and more. As a result of these efforts, 81% of clients avoided or reduced their use of emergency services. Among those who exited the program, 90% were successfully connected to health insurance and a community-based medical home, ensuring continuity of care and long-term health stability.