4 years ago
This is a nonprofit organization that has been set...
This is a nonprofit organization that has been set up to accommodate housing for people that have had crisis through homelessness, addictions, abuse, incarceration, functional disability, and focusing on women's health services (especially older women). There are several buildings that are for singular occupancy. Most are studio apartments, and a few one bedroom units in Washington DC. Residents get along better without the interventions of program staff, who have been discribed as interruptive, incompetent, petty, overcontroling, and generally annoying. While there may be great contributions from outside sources for residents lifestyle improvements the larger majority never receives or knows of it. However some hand picked residents are invited to be viewed for fundraising events if they can be handled. All in all Open Arms Housing is a great idea that is needed but with more policy towards empowering through participant feedback and council from all residents (without OAH staff pressure in order to reach goals). A great deal more could be accomplished with this project if the resident-client base interests become more freely inclusive with providers who are unusually evasive when it's time to pin down facts that relate to $$$$ or time! But on the upside: There's a great new mural painted by LisaTalhamer on the side of OAH building at 52 o St. NW, which is a pretty sassy women's empowerment statement. Take a look when you come by, the artist actually lives in the neighborhood.