IMS First Stop

Serving Homeless persons in Huntsville and Madison County

In November 2000, collaborating with the North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless, Interfatih Mission Service established IMS First Stop to provide a basic set of services to homeless people in our community. IMS First Stop does not duplicate services available from any other local agency, but works with other agencies to fill some of the gaps that exist in services to homeless persons.

IMS First Stop is a daytime program that offers the following services:

• Assessment of the needs of homeless individuals/families and establishment of an Individual Service Plan (ISP).
• Case management/follow-up, including:
  • Visits to homeless persons in camps, under overpasses, etc.
  • Assistance finding suitable housing, including assistance obtaining security deposit, first month's rent, and utilities deposit
  • Medication monitoring, especially for mental illness
  • Next-of-kin registry
  • Assistance obtaining photo ID cards, Social Security cards
• Benefits Advocacy:
  • Assistance with initial benefits application for SSI, Social Security or unemployment, as appropriate
• On-site services promoting employability, including:
  • Distribution of blankets, meal packs and hygiene packs (For a list of the items that go into these packs, click here)
  • Lockers where "street homeless" individuals can protect personal possessions
  • Access to showers and laundry
  • Access to telephone for those seeking employment
  • Mailing address
• Referral and transportation to appropriate services, including:
  • Government agencies
  • Legal services
  • Medical and dental care
  • Job screening, training and placement

For more information, contact Larry Sisterman, Executive Director, at the First Stop Center.

IMS First Stop
206 Stokes St.
Huntsville, AL 35805

Phone: 256-533-3391
Fax: 256-533-3494