Description
My Dog Is My Home’s Fellowship Program offers an unparalleled opportunity for homeless service providers nationwide to engage in a transformative learning experience focused on the exploration and implementation of co-sheltering initiatives.
This unique fellowship aims to support homeless services organizations interested in accommodating individuals experiencing homelessness alongside their animal companions that are located in parts of the country that do not have existing co-sheltering programs local and accessible from which they can learn or receive mentorship.
Selected fellows will have the opportunity to attend one of our Open Houses hosted at model co-sheltering facilities across different locations in the United States. Through immersive presentations, facility tours, and interactive support sessions, fellows will gain insights into the evolution of co-sheltering programs, learn best practices, and receive invaluable mentorship from experienced professionals.
Fellows will not only benefit from travel expenses covered for two staff members but will also become integral members of a dedicated cohort. Ongoing support from My Dog Is My Home will further guide and assist fellows in applying newfound knowledge to their own programs and communities.
Join us in pioneering compassionate solutions by becoming a My Dog Is My Home fellow, committed to creating inclusive and supportive spaces for both people experiencing homelessness and their beloved animal companions.
The fellowship program is generously funded by Maddie’s Fund, #ThanksToMaddie.
Open House Locations
Los Angeles, CA - winter 2024
Cincinnati, OH - summer 2024
New York, NY - fall 2024
Location #4 TBA
Watch a short video recap of our Open House Los Angeles 2023 at PATH Partners.
Criteria
Applying organizations must:
Currently operate or be funded to operate within a year of the application date a human emergency shelter or permanent supportive housing program.
Be a US-based nonprofit organization.
Submit a brief letter from the management level demonstrating buy-in and readiness to explore the implementation of co-sheltering or co-housing of people and pets together within their own programs.
Identify a maximum of two people to attend one of My Dog Is My Home’s Open House programs and engage in subsequent support meetings. One of the two attending staff must hold a management-level position or higher.
Benefits
Accepted applicants will have access to the following benefits:
Paid travel and lodging for up to two staff to attend one of My Dog Is My Home’s Open House events.
Quarterly Zoom group meetings with fellow cohort members to share resources, practices, and challenges for 1 year.
Ongoing technical assistance from My Dog Is My Home to support the implementation of co-sheltering or co-housing in your program for 1 year.
Application & Process
Applications are accepted and screened on a rolling basis. For 2024, the application portal will open January 1, 2024 and close on October 1, 2024. *Only one application is needed per applying organization.
Applicants that may fit the criteria for the fellowship will be contacted by My Dog Is My Home for an interview. Applicants are then assessed for readiness of exploration and implementation of co-sheltering. Applicants who are selected for the fellowship are then matched with the appropriate Open House location based on timing of the application and transferability of information from the host program. The date of the fellowship commences with the date of the Open House you are matched with to attend, and the fellowship lasts for one year from the date of the Open House.
If your application for the fellowship is approved, your organization may send up to two staff people to one of our Open House events. We require that at least one of the two staff people your organization selects to attend holds a management level position or higher.
Applicants may not be immediately selected to participate in the fellowship but will be kept in mind for future opportunities.