Transitional Living Center for Homeless Young Women (TLC)
This intensive two-year residential program helps homeless young women – many of whom are pregnant or the parent of young children – develop the skills and support to live successfully and independently in the community. During their stays at the Transitional Living Center, clients receive a variety of services including life skills classes, job readiness training, GED, parenting education and mental health counseling. The Transitional Living Center makes long-term change in young women’s lives.
Clients are referred to the Transitional Living Center by homeless shelters, mental health organizations, family service organizations and others. The Transitional Living Center is located in a modern 18,000-square-foot facility on the Call for Help campus containing three residential wings with a total of 18 units along with classrooms and activity areas.
Goals of the Transitional Living Center are:
- Prepare clients to transition to independent community living after up to 24 months in the program.
- Develop clients’ basic living skills including money management, housekeeping, meal selection and food safety.
- Ensure that clients have adequate education including a diploma or GED along with vocational skills and have skills to function in the workplace.
- Help clients improve their parenting skills.
- Assist clients in connecting with available resources including TANF and various community services.
Because of the Transitional Living Center, hundreds of women today are living successfully in the community who otherwise would face bleak futures. Through the Transitional Living Center, they gained skills at maintaining a household, managing their finances and functioning effectively in the workplace. They also learned to overcome the psychological issues that contributed to their homelessness.
The Transitional Living Center
The Transitional Living Center has many success stories. Residents have graduated high school, gone on to college, graduated from trade schools, and gained the life skills necessary to keep a job, an apartment, and even stress the importance of education to their own dependents. The Transitional Living Center's intervention and support have proven to have a lasting and direct affect on the lives, health and future of many of the young women and children who have come through its doors.
Success Stories
- At the age of 16, Yvonne (not her real name) entered the Transitional Living Center in summer 2008 with her then-year-old son, after she and her mother were evicted. Since coming to the program, she has been employed and earned her high school diploma. In addition, the Call for Help team assisted her with issues around anger management. She plans to move to private housing soon and continue her education toward becoming a registered nurse.
- A 20-year-old mother entered the Transitional Living Center in January 2008. She had been in foster care since age eight due to parental abandonment and drug abuse. When she reached 18 and aged out of the system, the foster parents abruptly informed her that she would have to find somewhere else to live. She searched for shelters until finding Call for Help. Since her entry, we have watched her grow from an angry and depressed individual into a well-rounded, responsible and productive citizen and mother. During her time with us, she has completed high school, obtained employment and maintained a savings account. She has come to terms with many of the issues in her life and now is a source of positive encouragement to other residents. She recently completed the Transitional Living Center program and now is living independently in the community.
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