Men are admitted into this program based on an application, which includes a written statement about why they want to be in it, as well as an interview. This program is different from the others in that, if accepted, the men must attend meetings with both volunteer and professional social workers. The center's newest program is led by two St. Vincent's employees, who work with four women and five children. These four women are given shelter, counseling and different classes on parenting to get them back on their feet and out of the skid row area, which Sotiros said is an unsafe place to raise a family. Aside from these four programs, St. Vincent's provides help on a walk-in basis to meet the basic needs of the area's homeless.
People can come in and use the showers, wash their clothes or get a haircut.
The interns assist in this process by making themselves available to anyone who requests to speak with a counselor. They say that this experience has been helpful to not only the homeless but also to them personally. Norman Luce, a first-year MSW student, sees this as an important learning experience for himself, one that has built a foundation for future field work. The interns' experience at St. Vincent's has also made them rethink some of their stereotypes about the homeless. Ogonna Lawrence Obi, a first-year MSW student, said he now has a different relationship with the homeless than his previous stereotypical thinking would have allowed.