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Grant helps homeless teens get on their feet

Jessica Clinton, a social worker for the Center for Human Development in Springfield, counsels a young man on educational opportunities during a recent Thursday afternoon. A new five-year federal grant administered by CHD will assist teens who find themselves in need of services to ensure successful independence. Reminder Publications photo by Lori Szepelak
By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent



SPRINGFIELD Teenagers living on the streets of cities and towns across Western Massachusetts will soon benefit from a five-year federal grant that will help them get on their feet and start on the road to successful independence.

The Center for Human Development (CHD) recently received word of the $1 million grant and are putting the finishing touches on how the Transitional Living Program (TLP) will be incorporated into its Safety Zone homeless and runaway shelter program. Safety Zone, a 24-hour emergency shelter, serves the needs of homeless and runaway youth across Western Massachusetts for up to 15 days.

"Homeless youth between the ages of 16 and 21 can come to TLP to find a safe roof over their heads and get counseling and services that will help them learn how to get a job, get back into school, manage money, negotiate community resources and develop a host of other skills to put them on the path to adulthood," Rhonda Young, MA, LMHC, assistant program director for CHD's children's programs, said during an interview with Reminder Publications.

Young explained that the new program allows CHD to work with these youth for a longer period of time, focusing on basic life skills, social skill building, and self-confidence.

"The youth may be placed in host homes, family residences, or apartments throughout Hampden and Hampshire counties," Young said, adding "program caseworkers are available 24 hours a day."

Each homeless teen will be required to be in an educational program unless he or she has already received a high school diploma or GED, and obtaining employment will be central to the transition to independence.

Young noted that the teens entering TLP can range from pregnant and parenting teens to young men and women leaving residential care. Additionally, Young expects to see single mothers, developmentally delayed clients, and, most commonly, youth aging out of the foster care system.

"These youth lack family support, have negative self-esteem and an inability to utilize community resources," she said, adding that teens also tend to have inadequate parenting skills and have performed poorly in school.

Homeless youth, parenting and pregnant youth and youth aging out of the foster system are at greater risk of failure to obtain self-sufficiency, according to Young.

"These young adults often cannot return home and do not have other safe alternative living options," she said, noting that teens often come from families where emotional, physical and sexual abuses have occurred.

Young emphasized that these families are beset with financial problems, substance abuse, domestic violence, and an inability to assist the young adult in the transition to self-sufficiency.

Young noted that CHD estimates that the region has approximately 2,146 homeless teens, mostly concentrated in the greater Springfield area.

"By providing these young adults with a safe alternative living program, TLP will provide clients with the opportunity to develop and learn daily living skills, receive job training, access vocational and educational opportunities, attain prenatal care and develop parenting skills," she said.

Young added that CHD is always looking for ways to partner with businesses and organizations in all of its programs and partnership ideas are especially welcome for TLP.

In addition to Safety Zone and TLP, CHD's children's services cluster has a variety of programs serving the needs of families and children from birth to adulthood.

"We are excited to further fill the gap in services for homeless and runaway youth through TLP," said Young.

Referrals to TLP can be made by calling a Safety Zone caseworker at 781-6556, or toll-free at (877) 781-6556.

For more information on all of CHD's programs, visit www.chd.org.