Run by the nonprofit SELF, Inc., the Susquehanna House in North Philly provides shelter and services for 22 women. SELF’s Peer Outreach team and the Office of Supportive Housing make referrals.

Susquehanna House seeks to create a loving community that gives residents hope and confidence that they can succeed and move back into society. One of the ways that Susquehanna House does this is through SELF’s Peer Culture program. Peer counselors are elected from the resident population and paid to help new residents, lead community-building exercises, and generally provide a good example to other residents. Every week there is a community meeting where residents can express their feelings about life at the shelter.

Each resident is assigned a peer counselor and together with case managers they work to move up in levels of responsibility. A program manager also works with residents to create an individualized set of steps to increase self esteem and ensure their success. Eventually residents are stable enough to secure employment, housing, and social services so that they can leave the shelter.

Outside organizations provide services like medical care, mental health care, HIV/AIDS services, nutritional training, drug and alcohol rehab, parenting skills, employment training and placement, transitional housing, and literacy programs.

One Neighborhood developed this summary. If you are an employee of SELF, Inc., contact hello@oneneighborhood.org to update this page.