Opportunities are offered for each family to become self-sufficient. By becoming a part of a supportive community families not only stay together but find hope and promise for the future. By forming new habits and lifestyles, acquiring better job skills, and learning to live as healthy members of our community, all are served.

Family Goals and Objectives

Once admitted, families reside in completely furnished homes. Families can remain in the home for a period of up to two years as long as they are in compliance with the program agreement outlining the self-sufficiency plan.  To ensure financial accountability, each family follows a monthly budget which includes a debt repayment and savings plan.They also must meet with a Rainbow Village case manager who assists each family in setting and achieving realistic goals. The financial goal for each family is that upon completion of the Rainbow Village program their credit score will be improved, they will have sufficient savings to move into a home of their own and a savings balance equal to at least one month of living expenses.

Life Skills Classes

Families attend life skills classes twice weekly to address behaviors, parenting, nutrition, wellness, home ownership, and financial management, among other topics. Job training classes include resume writing, interview skills and computer training. Partnerships with government and area agencies, local schools, corporations, churches, businesses and other community organizations allow Rainbow Village to offer a wide variety of programs to families. "Program Graduates" offer group mentoring sessions to supply encouragement and support. While living in the Rainbow Village community, families are required to participate in community service and learn to help and support each other.

On Tuesday evenings, all children participate in fun and games in "the big recess" program while their parents attend life skills classes. Everyone has a fabulous time!

After School Program

Rainbow Village provides a comprehensive after school program for all resident and "graduate" school-aged children. Because of their unstable family situation, most of these children have attended many schools in their short lives. The after school program offers a safe environment, a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and enrichment, including tutoring, arts and crafts, a computer lab and internet use, games, parties, athletics, and monthly field trips. The Children and Youth Program Director works closely with each child's teachers and school counselors to monitor the individual child's progress. Children improve academically, socially, and emotionally as a result of our after school program.

During the summer, Rainbow Village offers scholarships for summer camp so that school-aged children are not left at home unattended during the day. 

Family Success

With the support of Rainbow Village more than 200 families have successfully transitioned back into the mainstream as productive members of our community. Rainbow Village is unique in that families are held accountable and must take initiative to overcome the obstacles of homelessness. Rainbow Village supports families in their efforts to recover from events of the past - the trauma of battering, the loss of homes, jobs, families, and friends. Rainbow Village offers families the necessary tools to support their transition, but each family must do the work for themselves.

Rainbow Village is the outward and visible sign that there is a covenant among people in this world to help one another. The recovery system, not just housing, has turned people who may have been dependent on government subsidies or the community for the rest of their lives into self-sufficient citizens. It has given children hope of a promising future. What is the future of human beings worth? It is priceless. People helping people - that is what a good life is all about and it is the foundation of Rainbow Village.

Rainbow Village respects the dignity of every human being. We believe that a holistic approach among staff, volunteers, and residents is integral in breaking the cycle of homelessness. We believe each person has the capacity within themselves to meet life's challenges and address his or her problems. We believe in the dedication, knowledge, tenacity, and skills of everyone involved with Rainbow Village. Our communities are strengthened by our work in helping families overcome homelessness.

Rainbow Village is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. To be eligible for our program, families must meet the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) definition of homelessness.