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The Dunbar building, at 57 O Street, began housing residents in the fall of 2009. The property has 16 units. Each woman has her own efficiency apartment with a full kitchen and bathroom; the building has three wheelchair accessible units, and each floor has a community room with shared phones, television, computers and space for meetings and get-togethers.

Open Arms staff members provide onsite supportive services tailored to meet individuals’ needs and to prevent a return to homelessness.

Live-in volunteers provide monitoring and support when staff members are not in the building.

Volunteers and interns offer workshops and plan holiday meals and activities.

Our Accomplishments

We transitioned residents from the street and from shelters to the OAH building during the months after our opening.  All residents have maintained housing since moving in.

We encourage residents to take leadership roles in the program.

We connected residents with rental assistance, financial benefits, and other services (based on first group, 62% have met the goal so far).

Residents are participating in group activities inside the building and in the community.

Several residents have paying jobs.