Program Description

Fifth Street Renaissance/SARA Center is a not-for-profit agency that offers a multitude of services to individuals and families in crisis, including an array of homeless services, HIV/AIDS prevention, education, and support services, youth and family support services, and a comprehensive case management program.

Programs & Services

Fifth Street Renaissance brochure [PDF]

Transitional Housing Program

Transitional Housing Program brochure [PDF]

Transitional Housing Program provides male and female individuals with a safe and positive living environment while offering the comprehensive services needed to become independent, productive members of society. Participants of the Transitional Housing Program participate in mandatory Case Management and House Meetings, Support Groups, a Forced Savings Program, and various other supportive services that help ensure successful transition to self-sufficiency and independent living.

Contact: Lawrence Harris at [email protected]

Permanent Housing

FSR operates 8 project based and 4 scattered site permanent housing units for individuals with disablilities. A variety of supportive services are offered to ensure success in the program.

ISHOP Program

ISHOP Clearing House brochure [PDF]
ISHOP Tenant/Landlord brochure [PDF]

The ISHOP Program offers short term rental, mortgage and utility assistance for up to 21 weeks. This program also host a "tenant based" rental assistance where Fifth Street Renaissance/Sara Center secures an apartment in the community and leases it to a potential client. To obtain services through the ISHOP program, a client must have a referral from a Ryan White Case Manager and reside in the northern portion of Central Illinois.

Contact: Lawrence Harris at [email protected] and Renee Young at [email protected]

RHSP

A rental subsidy program for low to extremely low income individuals. Community based apartments and case management help to ensure clients success while removing the "program" stigma.

Housing Advocacy Program

Housing Advocacy Program brochure [PDF]

The Housing Advocacy Program provides supportive services to assist families to find affordable housing and regain or avoid losing custody of their children. This program is contracted through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Contact: Danielle Gude at [email protected]t

Youth Services

Youth Services brochure [PDF]

Also contracted through DCFS, this program assists youth (17-21 years old) who are former wards of the state to address their homelssness or prevent them from becoming homeless as a result of being released from the state's foster care system.

Contact: Danielle Gude at [email protected]

Reintegration Project

Reintegration Project brochure [PDF]

The Reintegration Project offers intensive, transitional case management, as well as many supportive services, to individuals who have tested positive for HIV upon their release from a correctional facility. Serving all of Illinois outside of Cook County, the Reintegration Project is one of Fifth Street Renaissance/SARA Center's most vigorously growing programs.

Contact: James Howell at [email protected] and Renee Young [email protected]

Walk In Services

Leaving no client un-served, this program offers advocacy and referrals to individuals who are experiencing crisis but are not eligible for other assistance programs offered by the agency.

Street and Community Outreach

On-site HIV/AIDS testing and counseling is offered free of charge from 9am-3pm Monday-Friday or by appointment at the administrative offices. Group prevention and support, risk and harm reduction counseling and HIV testing services are also offered at various outreach sites throughout Springfield and in the Sangamon County Jail. FSR also provides HIV counseling and testing services to events and gatherings sponsored by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Food and Household Pantry

An on-site pantry provides food, clothing and household items to clients in need. The food pantry is open to case management clients on Thursdays from 9am until 1pm and household pantry items are accessed through case management staff, based upon need. Referrals are also given to outside pantries when appropriate.

NightReach Project

This program serves an area within boundaries of Carpenter, Stevenson, Eleventh, and Dirksen Parkway. HIV counseling and testing, harm reduction; as well as a variety of other services to improve quality of life and reduce the spread of HIV and othersexually transmitted diseases will be offered to area residents. This program is offered during evening and late night hours.