OUR SERVICES

Nia Imani Family, Inc. is Milwaukee’s only long-term transitional housing facility (24 months) with wrap-around services accessible to it's residents. It is for homeless, pregnant or young mothers between the ages of 18 and 25 most of whom are without a  job or  the income to support themselves and their children.

Life skills training:

Women Who Live at Nia Imani Family, Inc. must commit to the following:

  • Adhere to the rules and regulations of the program/building

  • Learn coping skills in response to trauma

  • Take part honestly in Nia Imani Family support groups, as well as one-on-one meetings

  • Work on self-examination and figure out their core values and life goals, so that they develop resilience in the face of life’s adversity

  • Learn self-care, responsibility and money management

  • Pay monthly program fees as they are able, so they learn the importance of paying rent and not to become homeless again

  • Participate in Muhindi-mothers interacting with their children in healthy ways

  • Work toward a better understanding of their and their child/children’s health and developmental stages

  • Learn to maintain a standard lease agreement

  • Participate in nutritional and cooking classes

  • Maintain a drug and alcohol-free home; quitting smoking is encouraged

  • Maintain a clean, orderly and safe living environment

  • Participate in-house and outside social activities and requirements of good citizenship as a part of Women of Hope

  • Understand that there are different circles of Family, that co-participants are ”sisters” and that a support group is critical to living and learning in a good life

Program participants, with staff, set personal, professional and educational goals for themselves and their children. Each participant utilizes programs and support services based on her individual needs and goals.

Independent Living Skills

1. Job Training: The job training program provides hands-on job training experience. A key component is the Life Skills Curriculum, a skill-building program that focuses on job training and employment basics. The job training program includes the Ujamaa Boutique, a small clothing store operated by a peer resident as well as the on-site peer resident that provides program assistance. Participation in the operation of the boutique, which sells donated new or slightly used clothing, receives a budget for Women of Hope and gains valuable on-the-job training. Working as a peer resident is a stepping-stone to jobs outside of Nia Imani Family.

All women who successfully participate in the job training program will:
- complete the Life Skills Curriculum and Job Development Curriculum
- acquire hands-on job skills by working as a peer resident or elsewhere,
- work with Nia Imani Family staff to create a sustainability plan for themselves and their children      (including plans for housing, employment, and supporting their children’s academic success).

The Ujamaa Boutique provides a valuable community asset in Milwaukee's central city. There is no sizable clothing store in the entire zip code where Nia Imani Family Inc is located. So many of our neighbors are fans of its high quality clothing at affordable prices.

2. Nutrition and Culinary Class: Residents learn how to plan and cook nutritious and affordable meals in our on-site kitchen/culinary area. There is weekly programming scheduled with collaborative partners to teach the mothers how to prepare and cook cook meals that are affordable. There are many pitfalls on the road to good nutrition for very low income families. They learn how to grocery shop and to utilize community farmer markets and preparing nutritious meal for their child/children which makes a difference in how they learn and focus.

3. Education Support/Referrals: Some of the children have special educational needs related to family instability and infrequent school attendance and daycare. Mothers are helped by the Nia Imani Family program staff to establish a relationship with school officials to ensure the best academic outcomes for their children and also themselves as this a goal they identify for themselves.

4. Computer Training: Volunteers come in as needed to help women learn the basic necessary computer skills for updating their resumes and doing employment searches.

5. Financial Management: Through weekly programming scheduled with collaborative partners, and skilled facilitators, the women learn budgeting, banking, and general financial planning to help ensure their future success and independence. They also meet once monthly with Nia Imani program staff to support them in their newly learned skills.‍.‍

6. Restorative Listening Circles: Quarterly meetings with all participants to address the environment in which they live. Circles are incorporated into support groups and gatherings hosted by Nia Imani Family.

‍7. Women of Purpose: Bi-weekly resident led program focusing on the women themselves.vIt includes topics such as health, wellness and relationships.

Parenting Skills

Healthy Parenting Support Curriculum: Weekly program to help support mothers in their parenting.

Family Time: Moms plan special outings—such as a museum or library visit—to enjoy with their children once per month. Families are encouraged to explore community resources, and even use Women of Purpose  as support for planning.

Muhindi Program (Family Literacy)The Muhindi Program was started to encourage reading, educational success and positive parenting among the mothers and their children. “Muhindi” is KiSwahili for harvest and continues as a bi-weekly program managed by our program staff.

Mothers-only Reading Book Club:  Scheduled with collaborative partnersand facilitators. Women read aloud and discuss books. A light meal or snack is included. Over time, improvements in reading abilities and confidence levels are usually quite obvious. As women become more comfortable, they tend to participate more in discussions and volunteering to read.

Graduation: Some of these young women need a strong incentive to keep them living according to the structured guidelines and expectations of change.  So a bargain system has been created in collaboration with them: they get as a “dowry” all their furniture and household goods they have been provided with through the program from our many commercial and individual donors.  This will help establish themselves in their new housing which Nia Imani helps them find. 

Future Planning

Employment & Education: They will plan their next educational goals and future job training needs to continue getting better jobs, better pay and raising their standard of living.

Nu Iota Alpha Sorority: Each graduate becomes a member of our Alumni sorority which will give them a social group involving mutual support, social projects & Nia Imani resident mentoring.

OUR COLLABORATORS

• Fortunate Futures, WI Works (W2)

• Encompass Solutions LLC

• Meta House

• SaintA’s

• Children’s Hospital

• Joy House 

• La Causa

• The Quakers

• Pathfinders

• City of Milwaukee Health Department 

• UW Extension Nutrition Program 

• St. Mary’s Circle of Love Program 

• AFLCIO 

• St. Mary’s Outreach