Berakhah House
Since 2010, the Berakhah House has been providing emergency shelter for veterans experiencing homelessness in Sioux Falls. This program was created as a true community partnership to address the growing need to serve veterans. The Sioux Falls Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Volunteers of America, Dakotas, and the Catholic Diocese joined together in this public/private/government partnership to serve local veterans.
The program provides services under the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans contract with the Sioux Falls Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. The goal is to rapidly reduce homelessness among veterans using short-term intensive services designed to reduce barriers to community housing. The Sioux Falls VA homeless case managers refer individuals to the Berakhah House to provide safe, monitored, and structured housing for veterans.
The length of stay for the majority of residents is 60 days. During their stay, veterans are provided meals, supportive services, and group activities designed to overcome barriers to independent living.
The Berakhah House provides:
- Short-term emergency housing
- A safe, secure, and respectful environment
- Enhanced individual growth
- Employment options
- Housing opportunities
Veterans Per Diem – Transition in Place Program
Veterans Per Diem Program is a VA-funded partnership with Volunteers of America, Dakotas where eligible veterans can be housed in community-based apartments for 6-24 months. Upon completion of the program, veterans will assume the lease and this will become their permanent housing.
Services
During their time in the program, veterans will work closely with a Volunteers of America, Dakotas case manager and a VA case manager to eliminate barriers to housing, employment, and other issues so that they can live independently. The program provides assistance with:
- Rent
- Furniture
- Food
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Coordination with community resources
Veterans Services Center
Volunteers of America, Dakotas - Veterans Services Center was established to provide drop-in services for veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
The facility is centrally located in the downtown area of Sioux Falls and within walking distance of other community resources. The Veterans Services Center offers the following:
- Laundry facilities
- Showers and bathrooms
- Computer access for job searches and resume preparation
- Referrals to VA and other community services
- Snacks
- Veterans Advocacy
- Housing referral services
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
Volunteers of America, Dakotas - Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program is funded by a grant from the Department of Labor. The program provides employment services for veterans experiencing homelessness, including veterans that are chronically experiencing homelessness, all veterans, and incarcerated and recently incarcerated veterans. Any veteran chronically experiencing homelessness not currently living in permanent housing may apply for services. Veterans should have a copy of their DD214 to verify discharge status.
HVRP provides the following services:
- Individual case management
- Assessment
- Strategy for rapid rehousing
- Individual planning
- Job search assistance
- Soft skills training
- Job club
- Employment supports
- Supportive services
- Assistance with tools/clothing
- Email set-up and computer access
- Resume building
Axis180
Volunteers of America, Dakotas’ Axis180 program provides young adults ages 16-21 the opportunity to transition out of unsafe environments into safe, supportive housing while they learn the skills necessary to succeed on their own. Specifically, the program assists participants with education completion, employment training and placement, financial management skills, daily living skills, and interpersonal skills.
For a virtual tour, click here.
The Axis180 Program offers:
- Safe, affordable housing
- Life skills education and training
- Interpersonal skill building
- Education completion
- Job preparation skills
- Case management
- Staff available 24/7
The goal of Axis180 is to assist young people experiencing homelessness in making a successful transition to self-sufficiency.
Application and interview needed to determine eligibility.