WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) - It's frightening to be homeless. And when you're a young adult or single parent, there are additional pressures. The Latin American Youth Center's Hope House in N.W. offers much needed help.
On Thursdays, the Hope House offers life skills training for participants. The non-profit's goal is to provide a transitional living program for people 18-24 years old. Susan Ruether, Program Coordinator, says participants come to the Hope House and find a safe place to live with their children.
22-year old Dillys Santos is a graduate of the program. When she came to Hope House with her young daughter she was given a brighter future, "When I had my baby I wasn't employed, they helped me look for a job, they help me stay in school like other kids and not drop out."
Santos is now living on her own, attending UDC and plans to be a doctor. "My dream is to graduate school and become a pediatrician and help kids because there are many kids that need help"
The Hope House opens its doors to all young adults who demonstrate that with guidance they will be able to live independently. Ruether explains "we simply provide them the vehicle to identify what their goals are and to get the place they want to be. To watch them flourish is a really amazing thing."