Transitional Housing for Mentally Ill, Homeless and/or Abused Women

Located near downtown San Diego, the Francis Woods Home on Redwood Street (est. 1942) and the Mary McAfee home on Fourth Avenue, also known as the Residency (est. 1997), together serve up to 34 women by providing safe housing, counseling and social services. Referral to the housing program comes from psychiatric hospitals, crisis homes and social service agencies throughout the County. Both homes are staffed 24 hours a day for daytime supervision and night-time security.

A Four-Step Program Toward Independent Living

This is a successful, proven process through which each woman proceeds at her own pace. At each step, she will receive the guidance of a caring, professional staff member.

Step 1 - Requires that each woman volunteer for office, cooking, or gardening chores. Also, she must establish medical and psychiatric care and find counseling programs available within the community.

Step 2 - Requires that each woman find an outside volunteer position, attend classes, or find job training outside the home. She will also begin to focus on developing and practicing daily living and communication skills.

Step 3 - Requires residents to intensify their progress toward independence by increasing their volunteer hours, improving job skills, or attending community college.

Step 4 - Prepares the women for living in the outside community. Women learn practical skills such as budgeting, maintenance and checking account management.