Lavonne Kennedy Transitional Housing Project

The LaVonne Kennedy Transitional Housing Project offers five transitional houses in Sanders County.  The program is dedicated in the memory of LaVonne Kennedy, who was killed in 1999 by her abusive husband shortly after she had left the relationship.  The program is designed to provide a safe alternative for women leaving abusive situations.  The goal is to prevent continued abuse and future tragedies like LaVonne's.  The project is an independent living and self-determination program providing case management, job and life skills training, youth services, links to community resources, legal assistance, and other services that may be necessary to assist participants in securing permanent housing and self-sufficient lives.  To be eligible for the Transitional Housing Program, the applicant must be homeless or about to become homeless as the result of domestic violence.  The Transitional Housing Program has a minimum stay of six months and a maximum stay of eighteen months.  All applications remain on file and are examined each time a unit becomes available.

This program is new and has been very successful.  All of the participants have obtained gainful employment and are moving toward self-sufficiency.  The program provides participants the opportunity to learn new skills and build and existing work and educational experiences.  These skills open doors to new employment opportunities and increased earning potential, allowing the participants to become self-sufficient and secure permanent housing.

In August, 2004 we offered a basic automotive class sponsored by Les Schwab here in Thompson Falls.  We are very excited about some of the upcoming life skills classes that we will be offering including parenting classes, interviewing techniques, resume writing, and family budgeting.  In addition to the life skills classes, the units are currently equipped with personal computers that will further assist the participants with expanding their own personal growth and will provide alternative educational options.

If you have any questions regarding the Transitional Housing Project please call and ask for the Transitional Housing Program Manager at 406-827-3218.