Mission

Phoenixville Women’s Outreach empowers women to self-sufficiency, stability, and independence by providing: a comprehensive transitional housing program, affordable housing, supportive services, advocacy, and education.

History

In 2015, we established the first transitional housing program for women experiencing homelessness in the Phoenixville area (The House.) A second property was acquired in 2019 and in it we began a second program that established affordable shared-housing for women (Next Step House.) By January 2022, we had a two-person full-time professional staff. PWO has recently begun the work of a Strategic Plan that will set our course of growth for the next 3 years.

Our Programs

THE HOUSE

Our transitional housing program, known as The House, supports women experiencing homelessness. We do not serve children. The House has six beds. When our clients come to us, some are living in cars, sheds, or tents. Some are couch-surfing or have overstayed their welcome with friends/family. If a woman ‘works the program’ and is committed to taking the steps necessary to improve her financial, mental and physical health, she is welcome to stay with us for up to a year.

The services we provide at The House include:

Case Management: weekly meetings to set goals; support in goal attainment and connections to appropriate community resources
Financial Management: weekly reviews of income and expenses, creation of a financial plan to build credit, reduce debt, and increase income and savings
“By You For You” Savings Program: 75% of a client’s net income goes to savings. We partner with Phoenixville Federal to match client savings up to $500
Mental Health Services: clients are mandated to be enrolled in MH services (talk therapy or CAM,) for anyone who does not have their own services. PWO partners with Project Healing Hive for bi-weekly services
Enrollment in Services: assistance with appropriate physical health, mental health, and recovery services
Employment Assistance Program: assistance in securing employment (search techniques, application/interview assistance, and clothing/uniform obtainment)
Support Finding Housing: help with various housing applications and connections to housing community resources
Skill-building: weekly group trainings on topics including nutrition, fitness, financial habits, emotion regulation, communication, and self-care
House Meetings: weekly meetings to support clients in living with others, including conflict management and assertiveness, etc.

NEXT STEP HOUSE

Our Next Step House offers shared living for 5 low-income women. In partnership with the Chester County Housing Authority, our residents can apply for subsidies based on their income. This program provides permanent affordable housing with a 12 month lease with the option to go ‘month-to-month’ after the first year.

Second Genesis Foundation Makes Grant to Phoenix Recovery Academy

Phoenix Foundation of Maryland's (501c3) mission is to provide a recovery high school to adolescents searching for a safe, educational, and social option to begin their journey in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). We’ve learned a lot, heard great feedback from our community, and continue to work hard every day to provide Maryland's first recovery high school to families of our community. Located in downtown Frederick, the Phoenix Recovery Academy is in its third school year of operation. We’re very proud of what we’ve been able to do together so far and are excited about the tremendous growth and change that 2022 brought for the Phoenix Foundation of Maryland and our community that surrounds us. In 2022, we were able to begin a new program, Alternative Peer Group (APG) for our students and other adolescents who need a safe space after school. As always, we appreciate the support of funders who believe in our mission and vision and embrace the work we are doing to help ensure a healthy, vibrant future for our young people here in Frederick County and in nearby areas.