The Carying Place, Inc.

The Carying Place teaches homeless, working families with children, life skills for attaining independent living while providing short-term transitional housing, enrichment programs for the children of families we serve, graduate participant workforce development, and graduate participant homeownership preparation.

The Carying Place (TCP) began operations in May 1993 as part of the Christian Community in Action (CCA).  TCP was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1998 with its own Board of Directors.

Since our inception, TCP has served over 540 families. About 80% of families who graduate from TCP are living independently and employed at least a year after completing the program. Currently, the program supports 12 families at a time.  Families live in apartments leased by TCP in an environment similar to permanent housing except rent and utilities are paid by TCP.

The Carying Place teaches homeless, working families with children, life skills for attaining independent living while providing short-term transitional housing, enrichment programs for the children of families we serve, graduate participant workforce development, and graduate participant homeownership preparation.

As a non-profit transitional housing program in Wake County, TCP supports families in their journey to independence and self-sufficiency. This is achieved through the mentoring and guidance of Support Partners and staff. Families are paired with a volunteer team of Support Partners that provide weekly guidance in managing personal finances, setting attainable goals, seeking permanent affordable housing, and maintaining their employment. Over a 16-week period, these families are taught the skills required for self-sufficiency through mandatory weekly meetings with their Support Partners.

The program is designed to help working families with children who are motivated and ready to:

• Identify and make necessary lifestyle changes
• Learn and practice basic life skills
• Find and maintain independent, adequate, permanent, and self-sustaining housing

The expectation is that each family will focus on life skills training and practice at least 4 to 6 hours each week in attaining goals they set to improve their situation. Each family is required to save a significant portion of their regular income in escrow for future housing costs (deposits, utilities, etc.), and where applicable to make payments and plans to improve their credit situation or acquire transportation. Overall the families are trained and encouraged to make changes for long-term self-sufficiency.

TCP Children’s Program serves the children of TCP families. Mandatory meetings, which includes programming for teens, strives to provide stability to children by addressing their immediate needs and offering weekly educational programs.

First, we assist families with details such as school enrollment and school-related needs, transportation, tutoring, childcare, diapers, clothes, and referrals for mental health services. Second children 6 years and above are required to participate in the weekly Children’s program. This weekly program supports children in activities that focus on life skills such as safety, stress management, self-identity, and budgeting to name just a few. With the help of local community partners, we also introduce the children to a variety of programming such as goal setting, mindfulness, performing arts, nature education, AND arts & crafts. Workshop topics have included nutrition and health, career & college planning, substance abuse prevention, healthy relationships, gender and identity, bullying prevention, and resisting peer pressure. These programs work to break the cycle of homelessness by supporting each child’s development and providing services for them to thrive. Our long-term goal is that no child returns to programs such as this as an adult.