Path of Life Ministries (POLM) is a faith-based community non-profit organization 501(c)3 that was established in 1998 with the intent to build a strong community which meets social and economical needs. Prior to 1998, Path of Life Ministries’ Executive Director Raul Diaz was operating similar outreach programs globally. Pastor Diaz began his work in 1985 where he piloted programs in the Netherlands for men and women who had major barriers of dysfunction (i.e., homelessness, substance abuse, prostitution and other dysfunctional behavior).  He brought his approach to healing and restoration to Riverside and in early 2000 began a Christian-based congregate living environment where men could reclaim their lives. His years of experience in operating highly structured, results oriented programs were met with enthusiastic responses from local officials in recent years. In 2003, the County of Riverside asked POLM to run their Emergency Cold Weather Shelter. POLM was asked again in 2004 to operate the shelter and because of its success, the City of Riverside signed a ten-year contract in 2005 with Path of Life Ministries to open and operate the city’s first Year-Round Homeless Shelter and Access Center.

Path of Life Ministries’ mission is to help people become productive in life by addressing barriers of dysfunction through the process of rescuing, restoring, and rebuilding lives. POLM’s experience with the following projects in Riverside County is listed below.

1. King Hall Women and Children’s Emergency Shelter: 30 day emergency housing for women and children located on the March Air Reserve Base. POLM was asked to temporarily run the shelter in early 2005 until its scheduled closing date and successfully case managed the women and children to other programs and locations. During this four month duration, the shelter over 100 women and children on average per day. The shelter reopened in May 2006 and is managing Phase 1 operations (first floor) only. 
   
   
2. Men’s Supportive Housing Program: A 6-bed permanent housing facility for dually diagnosed individuals who are chronically homeless. (July 2005-Present)
   
   
3. Emergency Cold Weather Shelter: A facility for men, women and children who are homeless operating 4.5 months per year. This hypothermia shelter in Fairmount Park was moved to the Year-Round Shelter in November 2005. (November 2003 - Present) – Serves over 1,000 men, women and children annually during the cold weather months.
   
   
4. Year-Round Homeless Shelter – Access Center: Up to 120-bed facility (120 beds during the Cold Weather Shelter Program) (64 beds during the Year Round Program) Operates 365 days per year for men, women, and children who are homeless. Adjoining Access Center provides intensive case management through supportive services and referrals for medical and dental healthcare, mental healthcare services, job readiness and work placement assistance services and other financial, legal and social service needs. (November 2005 - Present) – Estimated to serve over 1,700 annually.
   
   
5. Family Shelter: A 50-bed transitional shelter that allows homeless families to reside for up to 90 days. Shelter residents participate in an active case management plan that leads them to self-sufficiency. Case plans are monitored and anticipated milestones met and recorded for continued residency. (December 2005 – Present) – Estimated to serve over 400 annually.
   
   
6. Overflow Emergency Cold Weather Shelter: A 50 bed hypothermia shelter serving homeless men, women and children when the Year Round Homeless Shelter is at maximum capacity during the cold weather months- 4.5 months / year. (December 2005 – April 2006)
   
   
7. Kids of Promise Mentoring Program: Provides children of incarcerated parents and other at-risk youth with an adult mentor to serve as a positive role model. This program currently serves over 300 kids in multiple sites throughout Riverside County.  (September 2003 – Present)
   
   
8. Outreach Team: Team of outreach workers dedicating 16-20 hours per week for outreach recruitment of the homeless. Team members traveled in areas throughout the community that are characteristic for the homeless population. Workers provided transportation via van to the Shelter.  Approximately 2,000 contacts were made. (November 2004 – September 2005)