Philippians Place Timeline:
Fall of 2011: Lenize Patton found out that there were 276 homeless school-aged children in Onslow County.
December 2012: Lenize & her husband, Doug, purchased 12 apartments from her father.
January 2014: Lenize began the process of starting a nonprofit.
October 2014: Philippians took in its first client: a single mother with 3 children.
November 2014: Philippians Place received its 501(c)3 status.
June 2016: Lenize resigned from her teaching career of 18 years.
January 2017: Lenize resigned from substitute teaching.
February 2017: Philippians Place moved into its first office space and a Program Committee was formed.
November 2017: Philippians Place began renovating Brookwood Baptist Church's old day care buildings.
February 2018: Our last Transitional Housing client "graduated" from our program and we ended our Transitional Housing Program.
May 2018: Philippians Place Resale Store & Learning Facility opened its doors.
February 2020: Philippians Place held the first Transitional Housing Cooperative Meeting with 9 other servants of God who are dedicated to serving others and building a transitional housing program(s) in Onslow County.
**Keep checking in as we reach many more amazing milestones for those in need in our community!
Philippians Place Resale Store & Learning Facility began because over the years we realized there were many gaps in Onslow County that needed to be addressed in order to better serve our community.
Gap: There wasn’t a specific location for people facing homelessness to get helpful information and/or resources or to complete assessments and intake information.
Solution: We distribute resource information and complete intake information and assessments for people who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness.
Gap: Jacksonville does not have a homeless prevention program, and clients receiving permanent supportive housing may not have funds for utility deposits.
Solution: Clients receive services to prevent and transition out of homelessness by paying back rent and/or utilities, and utility deposits; clients volunteer, attend classes, and/or make crafts to earn vouchers.
Gap: Many people become homeless because they do not have the necessary skills to be self- sustaining.
Solution: We teach life skill classes (budgeting, meal planning, completing job applications, etc.), Bible studies, gardening, and a new trade: crafting, woodworking, and furniture repair.
Gap: People who are moving out of homelessness do not have furniture and household items for their new apartment, and some of those placed in permanent supportive housing do not have funds to buy hygiene, paper, kitchen, and cleaning products.
Solution: Clients volunteer, attend classes, and/or make crafts to earn vouchers to get furniture, household items, and daily life products.
Gap: People who are moving out of homelessness do not have furniture and household items for their new apartment, and some of those placed in permanent supportive housing do not have funds to buy hygiene, paper, kitchen, and cleaning products.
Solution: Clients attend Bible Studies, classes, make crafts, and/or volunteer to use Earnings to purchase furniture, household items, daily essential products, and/or to get financial assistance.
Gap: Philippians Place wants to be self-sustaining.
Solution: We sell furniture, household items, toys, books, and crafts to become financially independent and support our clients, programs, and staff.
