The Center’s Host Homes Program Makes It Easier for LGBTQ Youth to Live Independently
VANGUARD | SUMMER 2021
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ith a husband and two small arrived in Los Angeles from Alabama “on children, Mandy Richardville’s just a wing and a prayer,” he says. “I was a gay black man in the South house was already full when her family decided to make room for a from a strong Christian family,” said Ellis, young, transgender youth named Dre who now 23. “I left because I wanted to start a life for myself." moved in with them in December 2019. “He really livened up our house,” she recollected. “He was so kind and thoughtful and really made a mark on us. We II was to have have was able able to were really excited to get him in before the the motivation motivation to to Christmas knowing he had experienced homelessness and was estranged from his do which II do things things which own family.” normally normally wouldn’t wouldn’t Dre’s three-month stay with the do—I went Richardville’s was Richardvilles was arranged arranged through the do—I went out out of of Center’s Host Homes program in which my my comfort comfort zone. zone. an LGBTQ youth is housed in a local, The program private home for up to six months to help The program gave gave bridge the gap between homelessness and me me the the strength strength permanent housing. The participating and motivation youth are between the ages of 18–24 and and motivation to to receive counseling, transition services, finish something. finish something. and permanent housing assistance from Center staff. He stayed for a month in the Redondo In addition to spending Christmas He stayed home for of aa month lesbianincouple the Redondo before together, Dre was still living with the Beach having home enoughofresources a lesbianto couple move into before his family when he obtained his official name Beach own having apartment. enough resources to move into his change and gender marker. “It’s apartment. a useful transition from shelter “This program has been the most love own “It’s toa apartment useful transition living where from Ishelter have and support that I’ve ever experienced in living nice to place apartment to lay my living head,where to have I have my my life,” said the 19-year-old. ”I was able aliving a niceshower, place to to lay havemymyhead, own to bathroom.” have my to have the motivation to do things which own shower, who to now have works my as own a peer bathroom.” support I normally wouldn’t do—I went out of ownEllis, Ellis, who in the now Center’s works Children, as a peer support Youth my comfort zone. The program gave specialist specialist Family in Services the Center’s Department, Children, saysYouth he is me the strength and motivation to finish & & grateful Familyfor Services, the rolesays which he isHost grateful Homes for something.” the rolein which helpingHost him Homes start anplayed indepenin Carlton Ellis, another youth who played helping life.him start an independent life. participated in the Host Homes program, dent
“What I like about the program is that they don’t just put you anywhere,” he said. “They actually take time to really find out if this is going to be beneficial to the youth and the path the youth is trying to pursue.” Compared to Dre, Ellis didn’t interact much with his hosts during his stay. Dre had dinner most nights with the Richardville family and also joined them for games of Uno and repeated viewings of the Disney Channel’s musical Descendants. “Dre had long hours, and you could tell he wanted to be at our home,” Richardville said. “Dre joined right into our family activities. It was a lot more fun than having a youth shut in their room. My family still talks about Dre.”
• TWO CENTER EMPLOYEES PREPARE A HOST HOMES CONTRACT
