At both the Men’s and Women’s shelters, clients are supported by compassionate case managers, dedicated staff, and community volunteers. These individuals work together to ensure that each resident receives the care and guidance they need to move toward stability and independence.
Case managers provide access to a wide range of services designed to support clients in rebuilding their lives. These include job coaching, community resource networking, vocational rehabilitation, legal assistance, mental health services, and help navigating social services. Clients also receive support with housing searches and transportation coordination to attend appointments, job interviews, and other essential activities.
In addition to personalized case management, the shelters meet the daily physical needs of residents by offering three nutritious meals each day, warm and clean bunk beds, access to washer and dryer facilities, and the opportunity to take hot showers or baths. These comforts—combined with ongoing support—create a safe and stable environment where individuals can regroup and take steps toward a more secure future.
Both shelters offer comprehensive support to help individuals transition toward independent living. Each resident receives meals, access to laundry facilities, and showers. Case managers, staff, and dedicated community volunteers assist clients in accessing essential resources such as job coaching, vocational rehabilitation, legal aid, mental health services, and other community-based support systems. The goal is to provide more than just shelter—to offer a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency.
All client intake begins at the Outreach Mission, Inc. (OMI) Office located at 225 Steele Street. New clients should call 919-776-8474 during normal intake hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Once intake is initiated, the case manager or shelter supervisor will assess the client’s needs, physical capabilities, and bed availability to determine an initial bed assignment.
Lottery bed assignments take place daily from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The shelter doors are locked and alarms set at 10:00 PM each night. In cases of emergency intake after hours, each shelter has a resident lead who can contact the case manager or director for assistance.
Emergency beds are reserved for clients discharged late from the hospital or referred by law enforcement.
After a client completes the intake process and spends 72 hours in the shelter, they will meet with a case manager. Based on the outcome of that interview, one of the following steps will be taken:
Reserved for 1-night only use. The client must exit the following morning but may return for a lottery bed if one is available. There are only 2 emergency beds available per shelter.
Initially assigned for up to 72 hours based on need. During that time, clients are not required to exit each morning. After the initial 72-hour period, daily reassignments are made, and clients must exit each morning and return for the lottery process. The number of lottery beds can vary.
Assigned to clients who have created a rehousing plan with their case manager. This bed is reserved for that client. If a client ends their rehousing plan or violates shelter policies, they may be reassigned to a lottery bed and must follow those rules. Generally, 14 beds are designated as program beds.
Each shelter has 18 beds available. Bed assignments can change at any time based on a client’s program status or compliance with shelter guidelines.
Due to the presence of families and children, registered sex offenders are not permitted at Outreach Mission shelters.
Outreach Mission’s shelters operate 24/7 under a Housing First and low-barrier philosophy. This means there are no prerequisites for entry as long as the client does not pose a threat to themselves or others in the shelter.
Services are only terminated when a resident:
The goal is always to prioritize stability and long-term housing solutions.
When a client enters the shelter, they are given approximately 72 hours to acclimate to their new environment before beginning the rehousing process. During this time, the case manager begins working closely with the client to assess their individual housing needs—whether they are a single adult, a single parent with children, or part of a married couple. This personalized assessment ensures that the next steps are aligned with the client’s circumstances.
If the client has a source of income, the case manager will develop a savings plan to help them reach the financial requirements for stable housing as quickly as possible. For those without income, the case manager provides direct support in identifying job opportunities and connecting them with employment agencies.
In addition to financial planning, the case manager assists with the housing search by identifying potential landlords, local rental listings, agencies, and subsidized housing options within the Sanford area. After 14 days in the shelter, clients are scheduled for an interview with Johnson/Lee/Harnett Community Action to determine if they qualify for external financial assistance.
Progress doesn’t stop there—case managers continue to monitor each client’s rehousing plan on a weekly basis, or as often as needed, to ensure steady advancement toward independent living. It’s important to note that Outreach Mission does not provide financial assistance directly; instead, those services are offered through community partnerships and external agencies.
All services are coordinated through the Outreach Mission main office:
📍 705 Chatham Street, Sanford, North Carolina
At Outreach Mission Inc., we have a deep desire to serve every individual experiencing homelessness in Sanford and Lee County. While we strive to meet as many needs as possible, we recognize that we cannot do this work alone.
That’s why we proudly collaborate with a network of local nonprofit organizations to extend support and services to individuals and families in crisis. These partnerships allow us to connect our clients with essential resources such as food, medical care, housing support, recovery services, and more.
We are grateful for the shared commitment of these organizations and honored to work alongside them to create meaningful change in our community:
Together, we are putting lives back together—one person at a time.
Outreach Mission, Inc. provides safe shelter, warm meals, and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Sanford and Lee County.
Your support helps us change lives.
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