Project Independence

PROJECT INDEPENDENCE is a transitional housing project that addresses the problem of homelessness in Randolph County. This homeless initiative focuses on homeless families and individuals who have the potential to improve their financial means and have the personal responsibility to maintain a stable residence once acquired with the assistance of Project Independence staff and volunteers. Christians United Outreach Center (C.U.O.C.) has three primary goals for program participants over the two-year program period; to place eligible persons in scattered site rental units that have the potential to become a permanent residence, to increase the participant’s income, and to help them achieve greater self-determination.

C.U.O.C. will target homeless individuals and families (parties of related persons) in Randolph County for Project Independence: those living on the street, living in an emergency shelter, living in a place not meant for human habitation, and those being evicted within a week from a private dwelling unit and where no subsequent residence has been identified and the person(s) lack the resources and support needed to obtain housing. The person(s) should be desire driven to become self-sufficient within a two year time period, be willing to work with a program manager and volunteer mentor to develop a plan of action and be willing to work this plan to the best of their ability. They may be mentally ill, disabled, unemployed, or displaced.

The primary needs of this population include, but are not limited to:

1. Ability and opportunity to earn a living wage


2. Job training and job search skills


3. Budgeting guidance


4. Individualized educational opportunities (homemaking skills, parenting classes, drug/alcohol treatment programs, mental health counseling, GED, etc.)


5. Personal support through trained volunteer mentors

Many community resources both leveraged (by letter of commitment) as well as those not yet identified will be used to address these needs.

Participant Requirements

1. Need: The client must meet HUD’s definition of homeless and must not have the financial resources to obtain housing on their own.


2. Willingness to Partner: The participant must be willing to cooperate with CUOC staff, volunteers, and community agencies to take major life-changing steps (if deemed necessary). That includes but is not limited to meeting on a regular basis with Project Independence Program Manager (caseworker) and mentor to insure that barriers to financial independence are addressed. An ideal candidate would be cooperative, eager to learn, open to constructive criticism, enthusiastic, and persistent.


3. Willingness to Learn: The participant may be required to participate in any number of classes designed to improve their life skills (parenting, GED, home-making skills, substance abuse counseling, personal counseling, etc.)


4. Ability to Reach Financial Independence: The participant must maintain gainful employment (unless there is documentation of disability that would verify that they are not able to work) and be capable of increasing income, attend budgeting classes as necessary, work toward retiring old debts, and finally maintain basic living expenses in their own name.

**** CUOC has a “no tolerance” policy for active illegal substance use and any substance abuse while in Project Independence and reserves the right to deny or discontinue participation in Project Independence for individuals with this issue. If you or a family member has a problem with substance abuse, it must be disclosed at the time of the interview for program participation. Disclosing this information and/or agreeing to participate in treatment will not automatically cause you to be denied for Project Independence, rather it will allow CUOC staff to properly assess your needs so that suitable treatment and/or counseling may be obtained. Disclosing this information in advance and agreeing to participate in treatment may allow Christians United Outreach Center to place you in the program on a probationary basis.