Giving Back to Sanford and Surrounding Counties
Inspiring Impactful Change
Stay up to date with Sanford Outreach Mission Inc.
NEWS
Our Quarterly Newsletter has current updates, articles about our shelter, success stories and much more.
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Sanford
Outreach Mission Inc.
Blog
Each month OMI publishes a blog post with success stories or current information. Check here regularly
OUR PROGRAMS
Making a Difference
Hands Up
Empowering Others
Our Hands Up Housing Program empowers our clients to gain knowledge and tools to achieve the goal of obtaining stable housing. Rather than placing clients in housing with out the skills to move forward, OMI works with our clients to help them budget, find stable employment and move forward
OMI works with clients where they are. Our goal is to assess their situation, and help our clients put their lives back together one piece at a time.
Jobs
Mental Health
Transforming Lives
Take Action
Right now someone our community is in need. By taking action now, you can help.
We are looking for people to get involved and take action on the behalf o men, women and children who are struggling with homelessness.
There are so many ways you can get Involved right now.
You can make a secure donation by clicking the Donation Button below. Become a "Friend of the Mission by setting up an automatic donation or a single donation is also possible. Thank you
We will never sell your information
Success, One Piece at a Time
Yolanda
“This is the most loving community I have ever been to in all my life, Thank you!”
Dustan
Thanks to the mission for all they did. They directed and encouraged me in a situation that seemed without hope. Thank you to Outreach Mission and their staff for helping me along my journey. I would not be where I am today without their message of hope and encouragement.
Anthony
Through OMI’s Savings and Housing Program, I was able to save enough money to get a shared living space with my cousin in Cameron
ABOUT US
Making Change Possible
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Since our inception The Sanford Outreach Mission has worked diligently to reach out to any person in need. Providing food, clothing, hot bath, shelter and emotional support. This is our continued mission nearly 30 years later.
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OMI is supported by several local churches and a network of like minded individuals and businesses. With out this support we could not operate and continue our mission of Matthew 25:40
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The core of our work lies in the continuous passion and dedication we bring to the range of projects we take part in. Please join us by supporting our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
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Outreach Mission Inc. is operated by a Board of Directors that oversees the operation of our Main Shelter at 507 South Third in Sanford.
OMI offers the only 24/7 low-barrier, Housing First homeless shelter in Region 7 of the Balance of State Continuum of Care that includes Lee, Hoke, Richmond, Montgomery, Anson, Johnston, Randolph, Harnett, and Moore counties.
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OMI has twelve paid staff members: Executive Director, Shelter Director, Shelter Administrator, two Case Managers and seven Shelter Coordinators at the shelter.
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Case managers work effectively to link clients with needed services, jobs openings and a successful path to permanent housing.
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Average stay time is 30 to 60 days.
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Occupancy at each shelter is 76 beds: 30 Men's dorm, 30 Women's dorm, 16 beds in 4 Family Rooms.
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Entry to the shelter beds is through the Unsheltered access line 919-292-1508, United Way 2-1-1 and Region 7 Coordinated Entry system.
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Intake times are from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Door's lock and alarm is set at 11 p.m. each night.
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Eligible participants must be currently HUD homeless by definition, i.e., people who are living in a place not meant for human habitation. Clients must be 18 or older or accompanied by a parent or guardian if less than 18.
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OMI helps people turn their lives around by giving them hope and a desire for a better quality of life 365 days per year.
Our History
After becoming incorporated in 1988, OMI continued to operate out of the 705 Chatham Street shelter. In the early 1990's, OMI purchased a home at 507 Third Street to renovate for a women’s shelter. For the next 20 years, both shelters were operated by churches and the Board of Directors, helping an average of 70 people per year.
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In May 2018, the OMI Board of Directors expanded the mission’s goals to help more people. OMI opened 24 hours a day, seven days a week, increased bed capacity, and incorporated the “Low Barrier, Housing First” approach. After going to this new operating philosophy in 2018, OMI helped 249 the first year.
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In 2019, OMI added full-time and part-time staff, plus volunteers. The board created an operations manual, standard operating procedures, fiscal policies, installed security cameras, and implemented a coordinated entry/intake plan with the help of United Way’s 2-1-1 system. Staff were trained to enter client data in the statewide HMIS (Homeless Management Information System), which is maintained by the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness.
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In 2019 we helped another 249 people experiencing Homelessness, get their lives back, one person at a time.
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In 2024 we were finally able to put a few decades of hope into action. The concept of having a centralized community shelter would become a reality. In June we had the Groundbreaking for the Samuel J. Wornom- SECU Community Shelter
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June 24th of 2025 after a year of digging and building the shelter would have its ribbon cutting. Over 100 community members and supporters braved the sweltering heat to celebrate this new chapter for OMI.
‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40 NKJV
Board And Staff
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ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
Our Samuel J. Wornom - SECU Community Shelter is a sustainable facility with Bronze Certification through the National Green Building Standards. Starting with recycling in the building. We are also using auto shutoff lights and designed to reduce the amount of waste we produce in our offices, kitchen, laundry and dorms.