THE FAB HOUSE AND DST℠ PROGRAM

MISSION

Our purpose is to provide community-focused, supportive, service-enriched, transitional housing to clients in an effort to enhance their ability to gain and successfully maintain a true sense of empowerment and self-sustained independent living.

How It All Started

In 2014, our founder and CEO Mr. Walker and his partner decided to provide rehabilitative services and transitional living to veterans, individuals with mental disabilities, and non-violent offenders. Having experienced working in other transitional living facilities in the past, both men were able to see that the present infrastructure of the available programs were not conducive to addressing the whole person. They identified a real need in this area, one that would address the whole person mentally, spiritually, physically, and financially. Instilling in them confidence, a sense of worth, and the capacity to successfully re-enter society. The idea was to not just cure and get them off the streets, but to heal and restore them so that they can maintain a comfortable way of life. This led to the creation of The FAB House.

The FAB House is a secure 1400 square foot safe haven located in Chicago’s South Suburbs (Dolton) with 24-hour staff that focuses on teaching and restoring independent living skills to the homeless, veterans and non-violent ex-offenders transitioning to independent living through our specialized and intensive Developmental Skills Training Program (DST℠). The FAB House is a place of peace and stability where residents are treated like family. They are given the freedom, support, encouragement and discipline to help identify personal triggers and overcome various challenges that have held them captive from rising above unsettling and often times painful circumstances.

Wellness, Training, and Independency

At the FAB house we are committed to providing a safe, productive environment where males 18 and older can gain vital independent living skills. Our Developmental Skills Training program (DST℠) is an essential ingredient of our community-oriented goals. The program’s three main components consist of wellness, training, and independency. Each component is equally built within DST℠ in order to reach the common goal of preparing our clients for re-entry into the community as positive, productive, and responsible citizens. This program has been instrumental in assisting individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to establish control and independence in their lives. Within the DST℠ holistic approach, our curriculum is geared towards the whole person, and builds upon each client’s unique physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs. In addition, we implement educational classes and vocational training. All services are implemented within our FAB House.

Getting our guys cleaned up for success! We appreciate Razor Sharp Barber Shop for the support.

Arrival

Clients come to the FAB House post psychiatric treatment, incarceration, or as a result of referral. It is imperative in the inaugural stages of transition that these men arrive in a safe place that provides an extension of treatment and a spirit of care and concern where they feel welcome and supported. This is a vital stage as we begin building their foundation for community re-entry with the DST℠ curriculum. During this stage, residents become oriented to the program's eight steps, and connect with any follow-up auxiliary services, such as their physician, therapist or probation officer.

These steps are:

1. Assigned Spiritual Partners

2. Given Daily Chores

3. Provided with Scheduled Community Service Appointments

4. Engage In A Fitness Program

5. Establish A Realistic Action plan

6. Enrolling In Educational/Vocational Training Program

7. Personal Finance/Time Management

8. Gainful Employment

Depending on the client's level of fitness and ability to participate, they are also required to engage in a fitness program. At the closure of this stage, residents are prepared for lift off.

Lift Off

Prior to participating in our DST Program most of our clients have made several unsuccessful attempts at independent living , while others have yet to experience living on their own. Most have dreams and ambitions to do something meaningful with their lives, but haven’t been able to find a process that works.For those who haven’t had an idea about what they want to do in life, or have had dreams deferred, this phase will give them the opportunity to build one and with hard work, lift off with their dreams.During this phase, our FAB House team, along with an assigned FAB House peer partner, provides positive reinforcement and encouragement to each client to help transform their dreams into a realistic plan of action. They will continue with DST℠ and build upon those skills by expanding their involvement in the community

One of the key components of this phase is enrolling in educational classes and/or vocational training and turning those goals into reality. The final aspect of this phase includes personal finance/time management as our clients continue with their spiritual guidance and fitness regimens.

Living Independently

This is the last phase of the passage here at FAB House. This step focuses on moving towards independent living. Our ultimate goal is for each of our residents to live in wellness and to live life independently, responsibly and with confidence. We want each client to experience the brighter side of what their unique and valuable life has to offer. Along with employment or school, residents will begin to take on more responsibility in FAB House and have more individualized support from the FAB House team. At this phase, residents will have demonstrated responsibility with money, have incorporated health and wellness skills, have a realistic plan to further educational and vocational goals, continued investment in the community through volunteerism and actively displayed a humble spirit of leadership.

A comprehensive discharge plan is created along with the resident’s support system to ensure a smooth transition into independent living. At the end of this stage, clients are prepared to walk confidently in the direction of their dreams and live the vision they have created for themselves.