Program News 2004
New GSS Program Opens
Good Shepherd Services' newest residential program, the Chelsea Foyer, opened in mid April. The Foyer is home to 40 vulnerable young adults in their late teens and early twenties. The 18-24 month program provides supportive housing, targeting young adults who are "aging out" out of foster and residential care, homeless youth and other young adults who lack independent living and employment skills to make a successful transition to independent living. This initiative is the result of a collaboration between Good Shepherd Services' and the Common Ground Community, a housing and community development organization, which provides facility management of the Foyer and building wide security.
The Foyer offer suites and studio style living; each suite is equipped with one full kitchen, bathroom, and individual bedroom for each participant and single rooms are set up as studio style apartments. Common areas include a computer lab, laundry room, recreational room, and lounge area in the lobby.
There is a tremendous air of excitement at the Foyer as the participants familiarize themselves with their fellow residents and begin to take advantage of the services available to them. The residents feel honored to have been selected to participate in this program out of a total of 200 applicants and also feel a sense of ownership, as they are the pioneers of this program. The Foyer represents a new experience, stability, and a place to call home for the participants of the program. The guidance that residents receive from case managers encourages them to create an action plan, which addresses their self-identified, educational, vocational, housing and independent living goals and the steps necessary to achieve them. Residents are learning how to live independently and are receiving support as they develop skills and make life-changing decisions that will pave the way to a self-sufficient future.
The Chelsea Foyer is based on a highly successful European model, long established in France, Ireland and England. Foyers have been effective in providing support to young adults without strong family resources, thus reducing their vulnerability to homelessness, unemployment, poverty, substance abuse and violence. We are thrilled to be among the first to establish this innovative model in the United States.
May 1, 2004
