Girl on a Dumpster

program information

 

Program Overview

Friends of Youth's New Ground Transitional Living Program provides residential shelter, supportive case management services, life skills training, educational and employment guidance, counseling, and parenting education for homeless young adults. The goal of the program is to help residents achieve self-sufficiency, financial independence and long-term housing stability. The New Ground program also works to prevent child abuse, neglect, malnutrition, inadequate health care, and promote healthy development of its infant population. Friends of Youth is the only agency in North and East King County that provides transitional living services specifically targeted to single, homeless pregnant or parenting young women and their children. Services are provided at five transitional living facilities:

 

Application Process

There are two options for applicants wanting to get on our waiting list:

  1. Call our intake line at 206-409-6009 and complete a phone screening, OR
  2. Complete the online screening form at friendsofyouth.org and email it to jessicao@friendsofyouth.org
  3. Click on the following for the homelessness verification form and email it to jessicao@friendsofyouth.org or fax it to 206-729-0594

Once you've passed the initial screening, you will be placed on the waiting list. We are unable to predict the waiting period, but we can tell you how many applicants are ahead of you on the waiting list and how many openings we might expect to have in the future.  You will be contacted by our Intake Coordinator as you approach the top of the waiting list and will schedule an interview at a New Ground site. It is very important to provide us with more than one phone number (or email address) where we can reach you. If we do not hear from you within 48 hours of contacting you and leaving a message, we will move to the next person on the waiting list. You will then have to wait for the next opening. So please, provide us with as much contact information as possible so we can easily contact you when there is an opening!

At your interview, you may meet with the case manager, program coordinator, and resident manager. The purpose of this meeting is to explain the program and its requirements, answer any questions you might have, and determine whether the program is a good fit for you. You will be contacted within two working days of your interview. If you are eligible for the program, you will be offered a spot. If you are not eligible, you will be provided with referral information to help you locate alternative housing.

 

Program Snapshot

Once enrolled in the program, New Ground residents work with case managers to complete an Independent Living Plan (ILP). The ILP helps identify individual goals including life skills, employment, education, and permanent housing.  Residents must meet with their case manager at least once a week.  Residents who are unemployed or interested in finding a different job will meet with an employment specialist that assists with resume building, job searches, interview preparation, and goal setting.

Residents are required to pay a $100 security deposit.  If a resident is unable to pay the deposit up front, a payment plan will be established.  Residents are required to pay 30% of their income in rent, which teaches skills in budgeting and saving money for housing expenses while establishing a rental payment history that will assist in obtaining permanent housing upon program graduation.

Residents are required to perform 32 hours a week of active participation toward goals that promote self-sufficiency.  This time must correspond with current goals set with the case manager.  Some activities that count toward the 32-hour productivity requirement include employment, GED/high school/college classes, job searching, submitting housing applications, and life skills classes. 

Residents are also required to attend the program meetings that are scheduled by case managers.  These are typically evening meetings, often 1-4 times per month, in which professionals and community members speak to the group about resources, programs, and life skills/parenting education.  Some recent meeting topics include:

The maximum length of stay for each program differs, but it is between 18-24 months.  Aftercare for residents exiting the program is provided for at least one year, helping to reinforce skills, provide additional support and access to resources, and ensure stable, long-term housing for former residents.

Friends of Youth offers long-term, supportive housing to qualifying residents. Click here for more information.