Za'kiyah House

Mission

Our Mission at Za’kiyah House is to reduce homelessness, recidivism, and addiction through caring relationships, holistic community support, and necessary tools to empower individuals to find freedom. Organization Description

Za’kiyah House is a black-led, power-building organization that provides support services to persons experiencing homelessness, drug addiction, and re-entry in Pitt

sburgh. For over six years, Za’kiyah House has coordinated partnerships and resources to address the needs with minimal financial resources, and strong community partnerships. We began with drug recovery outreach events alongside cross-sector community partners, and have since grown to include two sober transitional houses, a life skills workshop series, a support group for grieving parents (Come Heal with Me), and mutual aid where we’re able to provide support. Our two locations offer comprehensive case management, counseling and crisis intervention, resources and referrals, education, and support groups in an effort to break the cycle of poverty by addressing its root causes. We recognize the relationship between incarceration, drug abuse and homelessness and the special need to address individuals facing these three conditions, empower them, and surround them with a supportive community. Unlike most facilities, we are run in community contexts, with staff connected to the population we serve as survivors of the same systems they are navigating and residents of the areas where many of our clients live. With this cultural competence, our staff is uniquely able to empower individuals, while modeling that they too can successfully live a life full of possibilities. Our housing services benefit people returning from jail, prison, or rehab—or referrals from other agencies supporting populations without stable housing. Our residents are between 18-65 years old and have a baseline ability to physically care for themselves (and as it pertains to their mental health and behavioral presentations). The population we serve is 90% Black from low income house holds.