Revisiting Sankofa July 2005

by Janny Castillo

“When People Get Together A Lot Gets Accomplished.”

Transitional houses are the next step out of the shelter for homeless families. They provide long term assistance giving individuals an opportunity to build job skills, go to school and address issues that have caused their homelessness. Sankofa House, a BOSS project opened it doors in February, 2005 now has seven families that call her home.

Nikki Sachs, LCSW is the Family Services Coordinator for Sankofa House. We talked about what a family needs to qualify for a shared-living apartment. “Families with drug and alcohol problems must have at least six months sobriety and be referred from another shelter or from a drug and alcohol program.” Nikki said, “They must also be homeless and have an income.”

Nikki says the families are adjusting. “Unlike other transitional houses where new families had a community to step into, at Sankofa everyone is new. People are beginning to feel more at home now and more relaxed. "

"They are forming a community that is showing an interest in supporting each other.” Some of the challenges include how to settle disagreements in the shared living environment. “Different cleaning and cooking styles have caused conflicts but the end result is families learning valuable shared living skills which due to the lack of affordable housing could prove very valuable.”

The Harrison House Family Emergency Shelter sits beside Sankofa House which means more children on site. With over 20 or more kids and parents attending wellness groups and other services BOSS hired additional staff to offer tutoring, child care, art classes and recreational activities for the children as well as a prevention specialist for the parents.

Visiting the Moms

Kelly Glover, her 4 year old twins and her 10 year old daughter were one of the first families to enter the program. “I really like it at Sankofa. I like the apartment and programs they have for the kids. I attended a class on Conscious Parenting which was very good.” Kelly is enrolling into Berkeley Adult School to get her GED and then she plans to attend Laney College where she wants to start her Drug and Alcohol training.” I want to be a counselor and give back to my community.”

For the last six months Kelly has been going to court to finalize the open adoption of her youngest son.

“The adoptee parent allows me to visit but I am still trying to process his loss.” Kelly’s 10 year daughter shared her thoughts about Sankofa. “It’s nice because of my friends. I get to play double-dutch and the other kids are helping me read better.”

“It’s a good place to come to” Kelly says. “And to get help to better your lives and get yourselves together but you have to really want it to work.”

Katy and Lindsey

Kathryn Lundeen and her 6 year old daughter Lindsey relocated from Oregon. A tragic car accident took her husband’s life when Lindsey was only 6 months. It was very difficult for her: “I was working a grave yard shift and another job during the day and taking care of Lindsey.” Mentally and physically exhausted she reached a point where she couldn’t go on; she lost her housing and went in search of help. She applied for Sankofa House: “I was really attracted to Sankofa because it is a green house and I am sensitive about the environment that my daughter is living in."

"Everybody here is very kind and helpful, when people work together a lot gets accomplished.”

Katy is not only sensitive about the environment she wants to make it her life’s work. She works for a clothing store that sells mostly natural fibers. She is also planning to take computer classes in the fall.

 Looking back on the situation; she had this to say, “If I had known that there were resources to help me; I probably would not have lost my house.”

Sankofa House is a resource and a safe place for homeless families. Executive Director boona cheema is designing a program that adapts to meet their needs.

On July 17th, she hosted a family day where the parents from three transitional houses came together to share their ideas on self-sufficiency, personal wellness, and what services were needed in the transitional program.

If you are in family in need of help or would like to make a donation, please call Nikki Sachs at 510 549-0778.

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