ABOUT US

Founded in 1998 by Min. Shaun K. Golden and wife Katrina Golden, Lean On Me, Inc. is a christian based 501(c)3 non-profit organization who's main focus is providing assistance to homeless families in America. Over the years, Shaun & Katrina would literally take into their own home family after family, and help them get back on their feet. Their genuine love of the American people of every nationality, and their desire not to see any family broken apart or down in the dumps is the passion that continues to drive them year after year.

In 2005, as department heads over the Ministry of Helps at New Covenant Christian Ministries in Sacramento, CA, Shaun & Katrina worked hard with the Sacramento Food Bank to organizing 3 community food drives that where held in conjunction with the church's Holy Fire Weekend Car/Motorcycle Events. As a result, the church was able to make a very generous contribution to the food bank, and further assist in uniting the Meadowview Community of South Sacramento, CA.

"Where many homeless shelters often separate the family by only allowing the mothers & children into the home, leaving the fathers to fend for themselves, we believe in keeping the entire family together as one unit. This allows the stress of being in a homeless state to be kept down to a minimum, and provides a better overall atmosphere for healing to all involved", said Shaun.

With the terrible devastation created by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast, Lean On Me, Inc. has been shifted into high gear. Never before has the need been greater to help Americas families!!

Our goal is to be that vessel used by God for families that are going through their darkest hour, that need a shoulder to "Lean On".

Our Vision

The vision of Lean On Me, Inc. set by our founders Min. Shaun & Katrina Golden is very simple, "Helping
Families, Helping America".  "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be 
the world."  Shaun & Katrina's desire is that LOMI will grow into what will be known as 
"America's Nonprofit".  LOMI has been developed to assist with the issues at home.  Not saying
that other countries don't need our help, but our founders (like many other Americans) recognized 
that there is a definite need for an organization that focuses on helping families in our own backyard.
LOMI's founders have created an avenue for the public that insures all funds donated will go back into
building this great country we call home.  As finances increase, the plan is to expand LOMI to
whatever part of the nation we are needed.  Our heart and our prayers go out to the tornado and flood
victims all over the country.  These men and women see devastation year after year.   We look forward
to being able to assist you in rebuilding your lives as well in the future.  

Our Mission

The need for an organization like LOMI has never been greater. The economic downturn, the ever-increasing cost of living and the lack of affordable housing has made it particularly difficult for low-income families to financially survive. More working families than ever before are finding themselves living paycheck to paycheck. A single financial emergency (e.g. being laid off, a serious medical problem) can cause them to lose their housing. Helping homeless families in our community become re-housed and self-sufficient again is the core mission of LOMI.

Our Service

Lean On Me, Inc. has been playing a instrumental role in the efforts to support the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. From the floors of the Houston Astrodome, Reliant Center, to small hotels and motels on the highways and biways, LOMI was there. By phone, by volunteer, or by the internet, we were able to successfully place hurricane survivors in over 40 open homes offered by loving fellow Americans. We continue to support our families in the Gulf region, and plan on being there for the long haul!! Our Rebuilding "The Big Easy" Project is focused on getting the citizens of New Orleans and surrounding areas out of the FEMA trailers and temporary housing, and back into their homes.

Our Future

Lean On Me, Inc. was established in 1998 to address the problem of homelessness in America. LOMI. helps over 98% of families successfully completing Lean On Me, Inc.’s transitional programs return to permanent housing.

A profile of a typical homeless family includes a mother with two or more children with an average age of 5 years old. These families are not chronically homeless and they can be helped. Moreover, the root cause of their plight is directly related to economics. Lean On Me, Inc. has seen a steady increase in the number of families in which one of the parents has been laid off or lost a job due to the poor economy resulting in an immediate inability to afford their current housing. It is extremely important to note that these families and individuals make up an “invisible” segment of homeless people in America. It is impossible to identify these people as “homeless” by sight because they are typically working in low-income jobs, or looking for work during the day, and their children are in school. At night they sleep in their vehicles, garages, or motels until their funds are exhausted.

All of LOMI’s future programs are being designed to help families permanently break the cycle of homelessness, get and/or stay employed and become re-housed through savings and educational programs. Providing safe shelter together with educational classes and targeted one-on-one support is a winning formula.

LOMI strives to provide two types of temporary housing:

1. Transitional housing (housing and services for up to 6 months, while searching for apartments and jobs).

2. Longer-term transitional housing (housing, services and case management for up to 1 year, while completing job training or community college programs).

Comprehensive support services for clients include shelter and food, one-on-one case management, life skills workshops, a children’s program, a mandatory savings program, health care referrals, job and housing search assistance and a lengthy follow-up program. There is will also be an active “alumni” group that returns to LOMI to help others. It is a special way for them to give back to the organization that helped them get reestablished and back on their feet.

Since its beginning, LOMI has served over 300 homeless adults and children and provided over 1,000 nights of shelter, with the majority served during Hurricanes Katrina & Rita. Over 80% of every dollar in the annual budget goes directly to the clients served and program expenses for housing and education. LOMI’s administrative and fundraising expenses total less 20% of the annual budget. In addition to the staff, a good portion of LOMI is supported by volunteers. The organization continuously strives to maintain a diverse funding base in order to insure the long-term sustainability of its programs.

The projected $246,000 annual operating budget will be funded through a broad range of sources. LOMI is soley funded private donations and foundation grants.