ABOUT CASA DE BELEN
Mission Statement Casa de Belen provides homeless families with adolescents and homeless teens with a safe place to create and implement a vision for a positive future, that includes independent living, self-sustainability, and constructive involvement in the community.
Why are youth homeless? There are an estimated 110-200 homeless youth in Roseburg. Youth end up on the street for multiple reasons, but most run away from violent and abusive homes.
- Abusive households: 73% of at-risk students are crime victims and 84% have experienced domestic violence.
- Dysfunctional households: poverty, addictions, mental illness, sexual and other forms of abuse have made young lives an obstacle course, rather than an adventure.
- No parent/guardian: 76% are single adult households.
Guiding Principles Casa de Belen provides security, opportunities, and support for the homeless while they establish their route to independence. Casa de Belen is an outcome-based program focused on resident self-sufficiency by nurturing the growth of the 40 developmental assets. Casa de Belen instills in its residents the skills for independent living and constructive involvement with the community.
Primary Activities
- Create a safe and secure living environment
- Develop a sense of community within Casa de Belen
- Create innovative self-development activities centered on the 40 developmental assets
- Monitor progress toward the outcome driven goal of economic independence
- Foster personal growth in each resident
- Develop a network that draws the resident to community involvement
- Provide an atmosphere of spirituality that encourages residents to build relationships outside of their immediate circle
Facilities
- 22,000 square feet dedicated to serving the homeless
- Maximum capacity – 60 residents
- Facility development began November 22, 2003
- Casa de Belen is a volunteer, non-profit organization
Board of Directors:
| Mike Baker | Sara Byers | Diana Hadley | Stan McKnight | Ron Singler |
| Nicole Bennett | Joe Felix | Charley Jordan | Joe Olson | |
| Karen Bentley | Jim Forrester | Tom Keel | Kathy Powell | |
| Dean Byers | Gary Galbick | Danny Lang | Susan Schmerer-Haacke |
Ex-Officio Members:
Fr. Juniper Schneider
Sharon Johnston