Child And Family Charities

Supportive Community Housing for Youth Programs

Supportive Community Housing for Youth Programs is for young people, ages 17 through 21, who are without permanent safe and stable housing and are either pregnant, parenting, or both. We help all youth regardless of race, color, religion, religious belief, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, or family status. We understand that youth homelessness happens due to a variety of reasons including:

Severe family conflict
Running away from abuse (physical, emotional, and/or sexual)
Aging out of foster care
Being discharged from institutional living
Losing family members due to death, incarceration, or relocation
Being a part of a family that is financially unable to provide physical care

Clients of the Supportive Community Housing for Youth Programs will have access to:

Housing: Young families live in scattered apartments in the Tri-County area. The family co-signs the lease for the first year and enters into a Program Agreement with Child and Family Charities. Rental assistance can be provided for up to 18 months. Apartments may be shared by two families, with each family having a personal bedroom. Families share common space: kitchen, dining room, bathrooms and living room. Young families are provided with basic necessities including linens, hygiene, and cleaning products until such items can be incorporated into the family’s monthly budget.
Transportation: Supportive Community Housing for Youth Programs provide bus tokens or passes for young families to get to work, school, child care, and other appointments until youth are able to obtain employment and purchase bus passes on their own. Additionally, Life Coaches provide transportation for certain appointments.
Food: Life Coaches help young families apply for government assistance in order to buy groceries, as well as connect young families to community resources for free meals. Life Coaches also assist with meal planning.
Clothing: If young families lack appropriate clothing for all seasons, Supportive Community Housing for Youth Programs helps obtain clothing through donations and other means.
Health Care: Maintaining good health is critical for self-sufficiency. The Care Coordinator assists in obtaining medical insurance and locating a primary care physician for both the parent and child.
Mental Health Care: Homelessness in and of itself is particularly traumatizing, especially to young people. Supportive Community Housing for Youth Programs connects youth to therapeutic services or supports youth in continuing their relationship with current therapists.
Employment: Acquiring and managing an income is imperative for independence. The Care Coordinator and Life Coaches help youth look for work, fill out job applications, create resumes, prepare for job interviews, and maintain employment. Supportive Community Housing for Youth Programs also provides education and support regarding budgeting. Once income is obtained, young families are required to submit 30% percent of their adjusted monthly income towards their rent and utility costs.
Education: Education is important for self-sufficiency. Supportive Community Housing for Youth Programs encourages all young adults who are in school to stay in school. If a high school diploma has not been obtained, Supportive Community Housing for Youth Programs works with youth to support them in acquiring their high school diploma or GED.
Parenting Support: Supportive Community Housing for Youth Programs teaches and role models nurturing parenting skills. Additionally, Life Coaches support parents in locating play groups and connecting to parenting resources.

Please contact 1-877-833-3689 for dates and times of weekly informational meetings. Transportation to these meetings is available, if needed. Informational meetings introduce young parents to the program requirements, limitations, and expectations. It allows youth to ask important questions about the program and make an informed decision as to whether this is the right housing program for them. Program participation is voluntary. If the young adult desires to pursue program admission for their family, a more formal one-on-one intake interview is scheduled with the Care Coordinator by calling 1-517-882-4000.