ONEHEART | A PLACE FOR HOPE & HEALING
FAQ's
Answers about how OneHeart works, who we serve, and how we keep our campus safe and supportive for every client and family we serve.
REFERRALS & ELIGIBILITY
Sometimes people need a safe place to heal and start over.
At OneHeart, we don’t pick favorites.
We work with helpers in our community who already know people well.
When a helper says, “This person is ready and this place could help,” we listen.
If we have space and it feels like a good fit, we say yes.
If we don’t have space yet, we put their name on a waiting list and keep watching for the right time.
Our goal is simple: help the right people at the right time, in the best way we can.
Click here for more information on How to Enroll at OneHeart.
OneHeart does not take walk‑ins or “first come, first served” placements. People are referred to us by trusted community partners—like shelters, treatment providers, and social service agencies—who know them well and believe they’re ready for a structured, long‑term program.
Every referral goes through a careful review process to make sure:
- The person or family meets basic eligibility requirements
- They are able to live independently, follow campus rules, and are safe to be around survivors of violent crime and children
- They are willing to commit to a clean, sober, and accountable program
- OneHeart has the right services and space to support them well
Because OneHeart is a transformation program—not an emergency shelter—we focus on individuals and families who are ready to do the hard work of rebuilding stability, employment, and long‑term self‑sufficiency. This intentional process helps ensure safety, fairness, and the best chance of success for everyone on campus.
OneHeart never exceeds capacity.
When we’re full, we use a waiting list—and as space opens, we carefully welcome the next referral.
That’s how we stay safe, fair, and accountable.
Our partner agencies stay in close contact throughout the waiting period so that when the right moment arrives,the transition is smooth and well-supported.
OneHeart’s capacity isn’t just about how many units we have—it’s about how well we can support people safely and successfully.
Capacity is determined by:
•Available units and beds that match the size and needs of referred individuals or families
•Staffing levels required to provide 24/7 support, accountability, and services
•Program requirements like safety standards, clean & sober programming, and supervision
•Ensuring the right fit so guests already on campus—and those coming in—can succeed
•Staffing levels required to provide 24/7 support, accountability, and services
•Program requirements like safety standards, clean & sober programming, and supervision
•Ensuring the right fit so guests already on campus—and those coming in—can succeed
Because OneHeart is a long‑term transformation program, not an emergency shelter, we only enroll people when we know we have the space, staff, and resources to support them well. This intentional approach protects families, staff, and the broader community—and gives every guest the best chance at lasting success.
SAFETY ON CAMPUS
Safety comes first at OneHeart - especially because our campus is home to women and children.
50% of our clients are children, and 83% of our families are headed by single mothers.
All guests are referred by approved partner agencies and go through a rigorous vetting process, including eligibility screening, background checks, and pre-interviews. Individuals with sex - or - violent offense histories are not permitted on campus.
These safeguards help to ensure a secure, stable environment where families can heal, grow, and succeed.
OUR IMPACT
Our longitudinal studies show something powerful: time matters. Guests who stay at OneHeart 12 months or longer achieve their personal goals at a 74% success rate, compared to just 16% for those who leave within three months.
74%
Goal achievement rate for guests who stay
12 months or longer
16%
Goal achievement rate for guests who leave
within three months
Long-term stability isn't a luxury — it's a prerequisite for lasting change. Housing stability creates the foundation for employment, recovery, education, and family healing.
OneHeart serves people often referred to as the “invisible homeless”—working families who are doing everything right but are still trapped by the system.
Our longitudinal economic analysis found that in certain income ranges, a small raise can actually result in a loss of up to $8,000 a year due to sudden benefit cutoffs. This is known as the cliff effect.
OneHeart acts as a bridge, helping families remain housed while they increase earnings to a true living wage—so progress doesn’t push them backward.
That’s how generational change happens.
Since opening, OneHeart has provided nearly 49,000 nights of safe housing to more than 800 individuals, including 163 families—most led by single parents protecting their children from trauma.
Independent evaluation confirms that OneHeart’s model works—across housing stability, economic mobility, and family well‑being.