The Rest Cottage Association is supporting 16 worthy charities this year with grants of $10,000 each. All of these amazing organizations serve the most vulnerable populations in society. Two of our grantees are spotlighted here: Upward Bound Home’s Bright Futures shelter, which provides services for homeless young adults who are pregnant or parenting young children, and Jewish Family Services’ Hope Transitional for victims of domestic violence. In a few days, we’ll be sending out an eblast with a donation appeal for some small items identified as needed by these two organizations.
Upward Bound Home’s Bright Futures Maternity Group Home
Bright Futures consists of two sites located in close proximity in South LA and provides housing and other assistance for up to 14 homeless youth, 18-25, who are either pregnant and/or parenting small children. Potential residents often arrive at Bright Futures traumatized by their time on the streets, rejected by their families, let down by the foster care system, and/or suffering from the ramifications of abuse, or behavioral health issues. Toward this end, Bright Futures provides considerable aid to stabilize their young residents’ lives during these crucial transitional years by teaching them parenting skills, providing health and wellness counseling and taking care of physical health with free medical and dental appointments and providing transportation and daycare.
Bright Futures’ philosophy is that every resident (almost always women) should leave their facility with some achievement such as obtaining their GED, entering the workforce as well as finding long-term housing during their stay. Bright Futures partners with other organizations such as LA Trade Tech Pathway Program that provides residents considerable support to ready them for employment, CVS which offers training to become a pharmacy technician, and Crystal Stairs which provides crucial daycare.
Much of the communal activity revolves around the backyard where a large and lovely vegetable garden is tended by residents and volunteers. Residents learn about growing their own food and making healthy food choices for themselves and their children.
TIFFANY: An Upward Bound Home Success Story
I grew up in the foster care system and did not have much support around me. I became homeless and lived in my car with my four-year old son for several months. I sought help from Upward Bound House, and they immediately focused on increasing my income and assisting me in finding permanent housing. After a few months, my son and I moved into our own apartment, UBH helped pay for the security deposit and subsidized a portion of the rent allowing me to save money for the future. Today, I have a full-time job and my family’s future looks bright and promising.
Jewish Family Services’ Hope Transitional
Hope Transitional is located in a lovely old apartment building in Koreatown and provides shelter and services for up to 15 women and their children transitioning back into a community after leaving an abusive and often violent home situation. This shelter is part of the Intimate Partner Violence Services program provided by Jewish Family Services and is hopefully the last step in the difficult journey from abuse to reentry. Residents are provided help finding employment as well as daycare and schooling for their children. The facility also offers around the clock supportive services such as parenting groups, art therapy groups, and individual therapy.
Hope Transitional provides basic necessities required for establishing a permanent home including food supplies, kitchen equipment, dishes and linens. These items are furnished to residents when they first enter Hope Transitional and they bring them to their new home when they leave. Hope Transitional is requesting basic kitchen equipment to provide residents a smooth transition into the community of their choosing.
