From homeless to self-sufficient in 90 days

Editor’s Note: This continues our Celebrate Community series on nonprofit organizations that improve Santa Rosa County residents’ quality of life.

MILTON — 90Works aims to move vulnerable populations, like the homeless or those in poverty, to self-sufficiency within 90 days, according to Executive Director Cate Jordan.

The organization — located at 5139 Elmira St. in Milton — works with homeless veterans and families, child welfare and high-risk pregnant women. Its corporate office is in Pensacola and the nonprofit has offices in Fort Walton Beach and Marianna. 

“We decided there are seven domains required in our culture in order to be stable: housing, employment, transportation, health, safety, support and life skills," Jordan said.

90Works starts clients on the path to stability by helping them find affordable housing. They then assist with employment to cover housing costs. Next, 90Works helps clients find transportation, whether by car or bicycle, to work. Clients can receive help accessing health care as well.

Helping clients leave unsafe situations, and providing in-home case management are other priorities. Finally, 90Works offers life skills classes on substance abuse, parenting, budgeting, finding and keeping affordable housing, and finding employment. 

“We spend a lot of time making relationships with … charitable landlords willing to work with customers,” Jordan said, “customers that have evictions, criminal backgrounds — all the things that prevent someone from getting a place to live. (The landlords are) willing to take the risk. They’re willing to lower the rent. That's the kind of stuff we're doing in the community.” 

Jordan believes her holistic approach — now called the Project 90 Workshop, available to other organizations — is necessary because so many specialized service organizations exist.

She held the first workshop at the end of May in Fort Walton Beach and has scheduled another for Sept. 19-21 in Destin. 

Call 1-855-909-6757 or visit www.90works.org for more information.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: From homeless to self-sufficient in 90 days