Ritter Center’s case managers meet one-on-one with individuals and families in need of assistance. Case managers evaluate each client’s immediate and long-term needs through an interview assessment process. Together, the client and case manager develop a case plan to help stabilize the client and create a path to increased self-sufficiency. Our case managers specialize in housing (through our Housing First program and other subsidies such as Section 8 and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing), substance abuse, government benefits including public health insurance programs, physical and mental health, and jail release planning.
Ritter Center's Medical Clinic provides both urgent and primary care to low-income, homeless and uninsured patients. In 2010, thanks to a grant from the Sutter Health Access to Care Fund, the clinic also began providing behavioral health services including therapy and psychopharmacological medicine management. The behavioral health program, Behavioral Wellness Education and Life Learning or BWELL for short, integrates our therapists and substance abuse counselors with our medical and case management teams to holistically assist patients with complex needs.
Ritter Center maintains the largest food pantry in Marin County. Each year, the agency distributes more than 7,500 bags of groceries to over 1,400 households. The vast majority of food comes via the San Francisco Food Bank. The pantry packs special bags for the homeless consisting of foods that do not need to be cooked and provides homeless clients with military surplus can openers. Due to the weak economy, Ritter Center has experienced a 37% increase in the number of households seeking food assistance from our pantry from just two years ago.
Ritter Center has been providing the less fortunate in our community with free supplemental and emergency clothing since its inception in 1980. Ritter Center is located a half block from a Goodwill thrift store and, in 2008, the two agencies formed a partnership to provide Ritter Center clients with free clothing from Goodwill stores.
The Day Service Center is a clean, safe and nurturing environment primarily for use by persons who are homeless. We provide showers, hygiene supplies, laundry facilities, restrooms, and storage lockers to stow personal belongings. Showers can be scheduled twice each week along with weekly laundry appointments.
