Peachtree Young people aging out of the foster care program have an additional safety net.
Children in foster care are considered adults and released into the community once they’ve reached age 18. However, some young people may still need some guidance as well as assistance with living arrangements and tasks that would allow them to succeed living independently.
Two properties in Peachtree were purchased in order to help young adults transition into their own living arrangements, with the primary focus being on those exiting foster care.
Henry and Maureen Stevens – along with their son, Benjamin – had a burden on their hearts to help stop the cycle of homelessness from an early age. After three years of hard work, and with the help of the Educate 4 Success Board of Directors as well as others in the community, their dream has come to fruition.
A single-story home, as well as the former Abundant Life Church building, were acquired by the Stevens to create the additional living facilities. Although the former 18,000 square-foot church building needs extensive work, the single-level brick home across the street from Erlanger Hospital is ready to begin taking in residents through an application and referral process.
The home has been named the Stevens House. It can accommodate three people from foster care or other young adults who will, in turn, earn their keep until they are ready to succeed on their own.
The Educate 4 Success board has established guidelines for the residents to follow in order to maintain the home and its upkeep – as well as to move the residents closer to the goal of being able to succeed on their own without assistance. Residents will be expected to keep the home clean, cook their own meals and stay out of trouble.
The program will provide life-skills training, such as how to open a bank account, balance a checkbook and pay bills. The hope is to also implement a weekly “family dinner” with the residents and house manager, as the youth will be under supervision.
The house will be established for either girls or boys, but they will not be combined. The opposite sex will be provided a different home, such as a camper that will be on the same property as the larger building, which is now being used for office space.
Benjamin Stevens thanked Conley and the board for everything they’ve done to help bring the endeavor to reality.
“Educate 4 Success aims to bring the community together and invest in young adults for the future of the community and elevate a positive quality of life,” he said. “Mentorship is not only significant for the person being mentored, but also for mentors.”
Details or to donate: Visit educate4success.net.