One of the things that keeps us going is the successes experienced by our shelter guests. Several of them have dealt successfully with their problems and have been able to move on with their lives.  Here are just a few of the most recent stories:

DIMH is convinced that those who are motivated to work will be able to work.  Maintaining employment and an income sufficient to meet personal needs is a challenge for those with the  poor educational backgrounds and low levels of skill that characterize most shelter guests.  Most, however, can become more successful with personal encouragement and coaching in such areas as personal financial management.  DIMH tries to provide the encouragement needed, along with access to health care, hygiene, clothing, and skill presentation needed for a man to obtain work.  Efforts include helping shelter guests to obtain identification cards, to open bank accounts, and to plan for and manage one’s income to meet the obligations of daily life.

Many employers are reluctant to hire those with prison records or with a spotty or unstable work history.  Some, however, have taken a chance on shelter guests who are able to exhibit the motivation and personal qualities needed for successful employment.  Among the largest employers of shelter guests are local chicken-processing plants, Dover Downs, and factories such as Proctor&Gamble.  Shelter guests are often willing to begin with harder-to-fill jobs such as night dishwasher or other late-shift jobs that are less appealing to those with a family life.

Among the most successful guests are those with strong backgrounds in the food-service industry: One former guest now manages a Popeye’s restaurant.  Another is the food and beverage manager for a hotel.  A third is a cook at a Rehoboth Beach restaurant which is open year round and lives in an apartment on Rehoboth Avenue.

For some, discipline is acquired from the structure living environment of the shelter, where each guest is expected to be on time, to perform both chores and volunteer service, and to examine his options and plan for his future.  This translates, for many, into productive work lives that are sufficient to meet personal expenses and obligations.

DIMH maintains a transition house to which those who begin to earn a steady income may move.  This makes it possible for working men to live somewhat independently while still having access to the services of DIMH.  Residents pay rent weekly, with a portion of on-time rent set aside as savings for future security deposits, car down payments, or other expenses linked with long-term self-reliance.  Guests who leave the shelter for transitional or private housing are invited to share dinner at the shelter nightly for their first month, minimizing one of the challenges (and costs) of independent living.

Our success stories are many.  In addition to those above, one guest reacquired his truck-driving license and is fully employed in that field.  Another disabled truck driver is learning to be a medical technician while serving as a night supervisor for DIMH.  Other successful former guests include a printer, a house painter, hospital workers, a few certified nursing assistants, mechanics, construction workers, landscapers, and two talented carpenters who are initiating personal businesses in the home-repair and renovation field. Their talents were revealed in their contributions to our new shelter, which opened in early September.

We now have the capacity to shelter up to 32 men at a time, with our own kitchen and dining hall adjacent to our offices.  We are setting up a computer lab so that shelter guests will be able to access on-line employment information and applications. A temporary staff person promises to return twice weekly to continue the process of interviewing shelter guests about their skills and backgrounds and to help them to prepare resumes and to identify and apply for suitable jobs.  Our board members continue to operate the office daily and will be available to assist as well.

Dwayne is general manager of the Popeye's Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach

Raymond is employed at P&G and has moved into a townhouse with another former shelter guest.  Raymond is very positive about his work and life and is glad to have full-time employment despite limited speech capacity that resulted from a stroke

Dan started work at the new North Dover Chick-Fil-A late this summer and was quickly promoted to team leader.  He works six days a week and has moved into one of our transition houses.

Jack has returned to Dover following residential rehab treatment arranged for through DIMH.  He now applies his excellent carpentry skills to home renovations in the area.

Mark works long hours at a local juice factory after proving the value of his skills and experience. He is looking for affordable housing in the little spare time that remains after his work.

Other guests have obtained employment in local restaurants and in a variety of other businesses.  Local college interns assist with employment counseling and help shelter guests to use two computers available for their use for writing resumes and preparing on-line applications.  Several guests volunteer in the kitchen and office.