Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home (HSH) operates a multi-faceted and long-term program in Shanghai, designed to move individuals facing severe vulnerability—including people who are homeless, those with disabilities, and above-age orphans—from crisis to self-sufficiency. The organization's philosophy is not just about providing a temporary bed, but about a holistic journey that addresses spiritual, emotional, and vocational needs over the course of several years.

Phase 1: Immediate Relief and Outreach (The Care Day Program)

The entry point for many is the Outreach Program, also known as the Care Day program. This phase is crucial for establishing trust and meeting immediate needs.

• When and Where: It operates three times a week—every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday morning from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
• What is Provided: Individuals can access vital, practical services that restore dignity and comfort: they can take a shower, receive clean clothes, and enjoy a nutritious meal.
• More Than Just Aid: The program also offers games and fellowship, creating a safe, non-judgmental community space. This social element is a critical first step in addressing the isolation that often accompanies homelessness. It's also an opportunity for existing trainees to 'give back' and for external volunteers to contribute, weaving the program into the broader community fabric.

Phase 2: Foundational Skill-Building (The Internship Program)

For those ready to commit to change, HSH offers a three-month residential Internship Program. This is the transition from emergency aid to structured rehabilitation and development.

• Who is Eligible: The program invites people who are homeless, disabled individuals, and orphans who have aged out of the state care system.
• Core Focus: The curriculum concentrates on three pillars:
  1. Basic Life Skills Training: Essential lessons for managing daily life and personal affairs.
  2. Personal Development: Activities designed to build self-esteem, character, and emotional stability.
  3. Vocational Skills: Introductory training to prepare participants for a future job market.
• Volunteer Involvement: Volunteers are welcomed to teach specialized skills, such as weekly English classes on Thursdays, supplementing the core curriculum.

Phase 3: Vocational Training and Stability (The Employee Phase)

The majority of successful interns continue into the intensive Employee/Trainee Phase, a two-year commitment designed to bridge the gap between training and true independence.

• Employment and Residence: Participants transition into being official employees of the organization. During this time, they live in the organization's supported housing and receive a basic salary. This setup simulates a real work environment while maintaining a safety net.
• Financial Responsibility: Trainees learn financial literacy and responsibility by contributing a portion of their salary toward food and lodging—a key step in preparing them for market rent and costs.
• Deepening Skills: They continue to learn valuable vocational skills in the workshop, gaining real-world experience that makes them competitive job candidates upon graduation.

Phase 4: Sustainable Independence (Reintegration)

The ultimate goal of HSH is successful Reintegration.

• The Outcome: After completing the two-year employee phase, graduates are prepared to achieve independent, healthy, and sustainable living. They possess the skills, character, and savings necessary to take the next big step.
• The Transition: They are ready to move out by themselves and find a suitable job in the wider community, officially graduating from the program and achieving self-sufficiency.
• Community Need: To make this final step successful, HSH asks the public and businesses for help in providing potential internships or job placements for their motivated and trained graduates.

By moving individuals through these four distinct phases, Home Sweet Home provides not just a handout, but a complete, supportive pathway out of homelessness and into a self-reliant future.

The Home Sweet Home (HSH) organization in Shanghai operates in two main locations to manage its separate programs:

1. Outreach Program Location:
   • Area: Near the Shanghai Railway Station (in Puxi).
   • Function: This is the location of the drop-in "house" where the Outreach Program (Care Day) is run, offering meals, showers, and fellowship to people who are homeless.
2. Vocational and Residential Program Location:
   • Area: Near the Shanghai Disney Resort (in Pudong).
   • Function: This location houses their vocational program warehouse and residential facilities where trainees and employees live and work, focusing on producing textile products.

Since their operations are spread across these distinct sites for different phases of their program, you should check their official website for the most current and specific details, especially if you plan to visit or volunteer.