[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         COLUMBUS HOUSE HONORED

                                 ______


                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, the week of May 13-20, 1996 will officially 
be declared Columbus House Awareness Week. Columbus House is an 
organization which delivers both emergency care and shelter to the 
homeless and seeks to assist homeless persons in finding permanent 
housing. On May 19, 1996 Columbus House will honor their volunteers.
  Columbus House opened in 1982 and was New Haven's first shelter for 
homeless men and women. The original mission of the organization was to 
provide basic food and shelter services. However, it has since evolved 
and expanded. The organization now seeks to understand and address the 
problems that lead to homelessness. The Columbus House has been 
nationally recognized for innovative programs. One such program is the 
Length of Stay Program, in which the residents set goals for themselves 
and develop a timetable in which to achieve them. Columbus House also 
charges residents a nominal fee for their stay, a practice which 
promotes the ultimate goal of self-reliance.
  The dual mission of Columbus House is what makes it so remarkable and 
valuable to the New Haven community. Providing emergency housing is a 
crucial community service. The shelter has not only emergency shelter 
beds but also provides several outreach services. These include a 
mobile crisis van and outreach workers who try to link the mentally ill 
with the treatment and services they need. Columbus House aims to help 
residents become self-sufficient and able to maintain permanent 
housing. In addition to providing counseling, job training, and medical 
care, Columbus House strives to cultivate a sense of self-worth, self-
dignity, and self-reliance in those who feel that their lives are 
beyond their control. It is rebuilding a resident's sense of self that 
is the key to the program's success. Columbus House gives residents the 
tools to handle life on their own and to effectively seek resolutions 
to their problems.
  The work of caring for the homeless has become increasingly 
difficult. Many people are no longer compassionate about the plight of 
the homeless and are frustrated by the many problems that come together 
to contribute to homelessness. I commend Columbus House for facing all 
the issues that surround homelessness and continuing to work every day 
to solve them. I am proud to join Columbus House in applauding the many 
volunteers who make the day-to-day operation a success. I thank 
Columbus House for over a decade of service to the New Haven community.

                          ____________________