Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
Emma Norton’s programming is remarkably effective in reducing and preventing homelessness, which is fundamental to stability and progress on other goals. Our approach to integrated care produces strong outcomes for both individuals and families with complex needs. The residents we serve have very low incomes and are often affected by mental illness or chemical dependency or have a dual diagnosis. In 2021, approximately 66% of all clients represented BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities, which rose to 75% for those in our family housing. In 2021, we provided stable housing and/or services to 533 individuals, agency-wide, a significant increase over 2019 and 2020, part of which was attributable to new housing navigation services for individuals who began sheltering in hotels due to COVID-19. In 2021, Emma’s Place housed 81 members of families that included 58 children, ages 0-18, who were provided enrichment and social-emotional learning on site. Our Scattered-Site Housing program served 67 family members, including 45 children. Metrics tracked for our housing programs included maintaining housing or exiting to safe, affordable housing; increasing independent living skills; engaging with mental health services; and accessing community resources. In 2021, 76% of those served at Emma Norton Residence retained their housing for six months or more, or exited to affordable housing. Among our Emma’s Place families, 80% exited to safe, stable housing, typically after living with us for a year or more.
Current Goals
ENS created a Theory of Change model that focuses on creating three main outcomes within program participants - stability, self-acceptance and empowerment. In addition to tracking basic demographic information, many of the programmatic goals center on activities that support these outcomes. Here is a list of some of the most relevant goals being tracked:
Overall # of ENS participants;
# of participants in ENS housing overall - with subsets of people in each of the different housing programs offered;
# of youth participants in ENS programming;
% of youth that maintain enrollment in the same school for the year;
% of participating youth that improve their SEL skills (related to empowerment);
% of participating youth that improve their SEL skills (related to self-acceptance);
# of participants with a stability plan within one month from entry;
# of qualifying participants receiving support to pursue education goals;
# of qualifying participants receiving support to pursue employment goals;
% of households that meet one or more self-defined goal;
# of participants who have exited housing;
# of households who complete initial lease period;
% of households that achieve 12 month housing stability;
% of participants who report a positive increase in their overall physical health;
% of participants who report a positive increase in their mental health;
Community or Constituency Served
Emma Norton provides residential and scattered-site housing and support services for adults and single-parent led families. All clients must be homeless and have a documented disability diagnosis in one of the following categories: mental health, chemical dependency, learning disability, or chronic health condition.
Geographic Area Served
The Twin Cites 7-county metro area, especially Ramsey County.
