Just in case you missed the news, school is out for the summer!  We have celebrated numerous graduations - from elementary school to middle school, from middle school to high school and from high school to employment or college.  I'm always excited to see young people continuing to grow and learn and move up. 

 

For most of our young people, summer seems to stretch endlessly on into the future.   For Alternative House, though, we know how quickly it will fly by.  We are organizing field trips, visits to colleges and some fun trips to the pool to make the summer both educational and entertaining.  We are also, however, already beginning our backpack and school supply drives so that when the end of August comes we'll be ready with the items young people need as they return to class. 

 

 

 

 

Executive Director

-92% of our 4th through 6th graders at our Culmore, Springfield and Annandale Safe Youth Projects improved academically, as did 96% of the young people at our Culmore Teen Center.

-Nationally, only 40% of teen moms complete high school. In the past year 100% of moms graduating from our Assisting Young Mothers program left with their high school diploma. 

-100% of our young people at the Homeless Youth Initiative who have completed their high school diploma over this past year are now working, in school, or a combination of both.

Ryan was 15 years old when he came to our Emergency Shelter for Teenagers.  Child Protective Services had taken Ryan away from his mother because of physical abuse.  Ryan's mother was also struggling with substance abuse.  It's a very frightening thing to not know what will become of you or where you will be living.  Ryan expressed his concerns about whether he would be able to continue attending the same high school, how his friends and family could keep in touch and visit, and the provision of basic items from food to a warm winter coat. Our staff was able to help Ryan with everything he needed-- including re-enrollment in school and safe and secure housing-- while a foster family was located.  Ryan was also able to meet his new family and get to know them before he went to live with them at the end of his three-week stay at the Emergency Shelter for Teenagers. Staff continue to keep in touch with Ryan to ensure he has the support he needs.