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The Anchor House

PO Box 6149, 206 West St.
Annapolis, MD 21401
Email: aami@taod .net
Web site: www.toad.net/~aami
410-268-4251

The Anchor House Program

   The Anchor House transitional housing program opened in 1995 to provide shelter and support for homeless families with children. Families are given shelter and guidance in a safe and secure environment for up to two years.
    Adult family members sign a contract agreeing to remain employed and to pursue objectives that will encourage them to grow more self-sufficient and less inclined to return to homelessness. They obtain guidance in housing management and budgeting, they get connected to needed supportive services, they receive case management direction. Family members learn the responsibilities of maintaining their own residences and acting as contributing members of the community.
      Foremost, the Anchor House goal is to keep the family together, to strengthen the family unit to endure poverty and economic constraints, and to encourage all resident family members’ growth toward self-sufficiency and good citizenship. 
      To guard against the possibility of future homelessness, AH families are required to fulfill a case plan that addresses the following: Parenting and family issues, Job retention, Finances and budgeting, Children’s education, Life-skills education, Counseling a personal issues, Short- and long-term goal setting

What do Mentors do?
--Give perspective when a mentoree feels overwhelmed by a problem.
--Help detect and council against negative patterns and missed opportunities.
--Stimulate growth, encourage personal discipline and model values
--Teach skills, help meet goals and complete challenging tasks
--Increase the mentoree’s confidence, status and               credibility 

What qualities should a mentor have?
--Good listening skills and ability to readily see potential in a person.
--Flexibility and patience in response to people and circumstances
--Perspective and vision
--Gifts and abilities that build up and encourage others

    Mentors are asked to develop a relationship with the mentoree based on the mentoree’s needs and the mentor’s abilities. Both parties are responsible for defining the relationship, which includes scheduling meeting times and planning activities.

Maintenance and Renovation Volunteer
    Volunteers are periodically needed to perform maintenance and renovation work on Anchor House buildings. Carpentry and landscaping expertise are an added plus but not always necessary.

Group Volunteer Projects
    Encourage your church or civic group to become involved. Contact AH for possible group projects.

Holiday Adoption/Special Occasion Adoption
--Possibilities are limitless. Some popular ones are:
--Purchase Christmas gifts for a family
--Give new school clothes to the children
--Donate Thanksgiving food to a family
--Give Easter baskets to a family or to children
--Buy shrubs/plants, and organize a planting party to beautify the grounds
--Throw a party for children (you suggest the theme)
--Perform spring or fall maintenance on the property

Youth projects
--Do a collection drive for cleaning supplies, food, other supplies
--Take kids on a field trip (bowling, ball game, musical program, concert, play, Chuck E. Cheese’s, etc.) The shelter is insured for volunteers transporting shelter residents.
--Take kids to Bible camp, summer camp, athletics, special interest classes, etc.
--Make birthday cakes for shelter residents
--Make Christmas stockings
--If computer literate, you can help homeless kids learn to use the computer; install some games or educational programs on the computer

Don’t have time to volunteer but still want to help?. Cash donations and gift certificates can always be put to good use in a variety of ways.

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