Over 1,300 young people will experience homelessness in the District of Columbia and Prince George County, MD this year.
OUR PROGRAMS
At Sasha Bruce Youthwork, we walk alongside young people as they navigate crisis, build confidence, and create pathways toward safety, healing, and independence. For over 50 years, we’ve supported youth and families in Washington, DC, and Prince George’s County through a wide range of services, from housing and education to workforce readiness, mental health care, and family support. Every young person’s situation is different, so our programs are designed to meet individual needs, whether someone needs a safe place to stay, a caring adult to talk to, or help find a job or go back to school. Our work is guided by The Sasha Bruce Way. We listen without judgment, center youth voice, and provide support that helps young people build strong, stable futures. All of our programs work together with one goal, to help young people thrive.
Located in Prince George’s County, BEZ is a welcoming hub where youth experiencing homelessness can access basic needs, case management, housing navigation, and supportive services, all in one place. In partnership with the local Continuum of Care, BEZ helps youth take steps toward stability and independence by connecting them with personalized support and community resources.
Ages Served: 14 to 24
Duration: M-F: 9am – 6pm
As DC’s only 24/7 short-term shelter for youth, Bruce House provides immediate safety, crisis intervention, and counseling for young people ages 11–17 who are homeless, runaway, abandoned, or in crisis. Youth receive safe housing, individual and family counseling, and support navigating family reunification or longer-term housing options. With a compassionate and trauma-informed approach, Bruce House helps young people stabilize and return to safe, supportive environments within a stay of up to 21 days.
Ages Served: 11–17
Duration: Up to 21 days
The CARES Project offers youth and families a voluntary, compassionate alternative to arrest during intra-family conflicts. When police respond to domestic disputes involving teens, youth may be referred to Sasha Bruce House for a short “cooling off” stay in a safe space. While youth stabilize, families receive free counseling and mediation to address underlying issues, improve communication, and support healing at home.
Ages Served: 12–18
CURB empowers young people ages 16–28 with lived experience to shape the programs and policies that impact them. As part of the Youth Advisory Board, members receive paid training in advocacy, peer leadership, and evaluation while offering valuable insights that help improve services for youth. CURB builds confidence, amplifies youth voice, and creates pathways for long-term leadership.
Ages Served: 16–28
Chloe House is a supportive group home for girls ages 12–18 referred by the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. In a structured, therapeutic setting, residents receive counseling, educational support, workforce readiness training, and life skills development. Named in honor of a former participant, Chloe House is rooted in healing and empowerment, helping justice-involved youth build strong foundations for the future. on.
Ages Served: Girls 12–18
This program helps current and former Sasha Bruce Youthwork clients with lived experience of homelessness pursue postsecondary education and career success. Through the Lukey Kaempfer Scholar Program, youth receive personalized case management, academic guidance, and career coaching, along with access to scholarships, test prep, and job readiness workshops. Whether aiming for college, vocational training, or technical certification, participants get the tools and support to reach their goals.
The Credible Messenger Program connects court-involved youth with mentors who share similar lived experiences and are trained to provide guidance, advocacy, and restorative justice support. Through mentoring, family engagement, and services like job training, life skills, and educational support, the program helps youth build stability, reduce recidivism, and envision positive futures. Many mentors are program alumni, returning to inspire and uplift the next generation.
Ages Served: Up to 21+
In partnership with DC’s Department of Behavioral Health, DCPC works to prevent youth use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by strengthening community protective factors in Wards 5 and 6. Serving youth ages 12–24, the program offers education, training, and strategic support to families, schools, faith-based groups, and neighborhood organizations. Through community conversations, data-driven planning, and local leadership development, DCPC builds a healthier, more resilient District.
In partnership with First Congregational United Church of Christ and the Downtown DC Business Improvement District, this weekly drop-in center provides a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ and high-needs youth in downtown Washington, DC. Youth can access meals, showers, supplies, case management, and connections to mental health, education, and employment services. By offering consistent care and community, the center helps youth stabilize, access housing, and begin building a path forward.
Ages Served: Up to 24
Duration: Su: 6-8PM
Known as “The Bruce,” this drop-in center offers low-barrier access to essential services for youth in crisis. Young people can receive meals, hygiene supplies, harm reduction support, and personalized service planning, including housing referrals and case management. The center acts as a vital bridge to stability, helping youth connect to shelter, transitional housing, and longer-term support systems.
Ages Served: Up to 24
Duration: M, T, TH: 8am – 6pm
W: by appointment
F: 8am – 4pm
This program helps youth and their families navigate conflict, improve communication, and rebuild trust. Through free services like counseling, mediation, parent coaching, and mentoring, families are supported in creating more stable, connected home environments. Designed to meet each family’s unique needs, including support for LGBTQ+ youth, the program empowers young people and caregivers to strengthen relationships and build lasting support systems.
CARES is a partnership with OAG, MPD, and DHS that diverts youth ages 12–18 from the justice system by providing family strengthening, conflict resolution, individual and group counseling, and respite care when needed. STEP, in partnership with DHS, supports young people with multiple missing incidents through intensive, family-centered case management tailored to their unique needs.
Located in Ward 7, the Family Success Center offers wraparound support to help families prevent homelessness and stay connected. With services like parenting groups, workforce development, case management, and an on-site food pantry, the Center addresses the root causes of instability. By strengthening family systems and reducing child welfare involvement, the Center helps youth remain safely housed and supported within their community.
Grace House is a supportive residential program for young parents transitioning out of foster care, offering stability for both them and their children. With individualized case management, parenting education, and access to critical resources, the program helps families build strong foundations and work toward long-term independence and well-being.
Ages Served: 18–20
ILP provides apartment-style housing and supportive services for youth ages 18–24 who are experiencing homelessness or aging out of foster care. During their stay of up to 18 months, residents focus on education, employment, and life skills while receiving help with budgeting, goal setting, and housing planning. The program offers a stable environment where youth can build confidence and prepare for independent adulthood.
Ages Served: 18–24
Duration: 18 months
Allen House offers a safe, supportive home for youth in foster care ages 13–21, providing a therapeutic, family-style environment where residents receive daily guidance, counseling, and life skills training. The program focuses on healing, empowerment, and building confidence as young people prepare for independent adulthood during their 12-month stay.
Ages Served: Foster care youth – 13–21
Duration: 12 months
Olaiya’s Cradle provides transitional housing and wraparound support for pregnant and parenting youth ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness in D.C. Young mothers live in a nurturing, dormitory-style setting for up to 21 months, with six months of aftercare support. The program offers maternal health care, parenting education, childcare resources, counseling, and connections to education and employment, empowering young families to build safe, stable, and independent futures.
Ages Served: Mothers 18–21 / Children up to age 2
Duration: 18 months
OST provides a safe, supportive space for youth experiencing homelessness or instability to grow academically and emotionally. Through a positive youth development model, the program offers tutoring, life skills workshops, and trauma-informed support to help students stay engaged in school, build resilience, and achieve their goals.
Ages Served: High School
Duration: School Year
Passages offers long-term, community-based housing and wraparound support for young adults ages 18–24 living with disabilities. Residents can stay for up to six years in shared apartments while receiving intensive case management, therapy, housing navigation, and career coaching. With a focus on personal growth and stability, the program helps youth reach goals in education, employment, and wellness at their own pace.
Ages Served: 18–24
Duration: Up to 6 years
Philip Reid House provides extended transitional housing for youth ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness and significant barriers to stability. In a supportive, apartment-based setting, participants receive intensive case management, therapeutic services, and individualized support focused on long-term housing, employment, and wellness. Youth can stay for up to three years as they work toward lasting independence.
Ages Served: 18–24
Duration: 3 years
PDP is a groundbreaking, youth-designed initiative that works to prevent homelessness before it begins. As a national demonstration site, the program combines cash assistance, housing support, coaching, and community-based services to meet urgent needs and build long-term stability. Guided by a prevention plan shaped by young people with lived experience, PDP offers a model for how early intervention can change lives.
Located in Capitol Heights, MD, Promise Place is a 24/7 emergency shelter for youth ages 12–24 who are homeless, runaway, or facing crisis. In partnership with Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, the shelter provides a safe, supportive environment with access to counseling, crisis intervention, and case management. The program prioritizes family reunification when possible, or helps youth transition into stable housing, all while offering continued guidance for long-term well-being.
Ages Served: 12–24
Duration: 21 days
REACH offers a short-term, community-based alternative to institutional placement for boys ages 13–17 involved in the juvenile justice system. Referred by the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, youth live in a structured, therapeutic group setting where they receive individual, group, and family counseling, educational support, life skills training, and substance use counseling. The program helps participants meet court requirements and prepare for a safe, supported return to the community.
Ages Served: Boys 13–17
Duration: Avg. 30 days
Resilient Scholars helps youth exiting the juvenile justice system pursue their education and career goals through personalized support and resource access. Participants receive one-on-one academic coaching, GED prep, job readiness training, and connections to internships and employment opportunities. With support like transportation, technology access, and mentorship, the program equips youth to succeed in school, the workplace, and life.
The Street Outreach team meets runaway and homeless youth where they are, on the streets of D.C., to offer immediate access to food, shelter, hygiene supplies, transportation, and support. Focused on Wards 5–8, outreach workers build trusting relationships that help youth move toward safety and long-term stability. Through case management, drop-in connections, and violence prevention efforts, SOP is a vital first step for youth in crisis.
Ages Served: Up to 24
Thrive House supports youth ages 18–24 in their transition from supervised housing into independent living through a blend of transitional and rapid rehousing models. Participants receive wraparound services—including case management, counseling, housing navigation, and employment coaching—from a dedicated team. The program focuses on helping young people build lasting stability in housing, work, and wellness.
Ages Served: 18–24
THP provides service-enriched, apartment-style housing for young parents (ages 18–24) and their children exiting the shelter system in Washington, DC. In partnership with the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, families receive case management, employment support, life skills education, and youth development services. The program promotes long-term stability by helping families transition to permanent, independent housing in a safe and nurturing environment.
Ages Served: 18–24 + children
TLP provides supervised apartment-style housing for youth ages 18–24 who are unable to live safely at home. Over the course of up to 12 months, participants receive support with education, employment, life skills, and housing navigation, along with personalized case plans and aftercare planning. With structure and guidance, the program helps young people transition to independence and long-term self-sufficiency.
Ages Served: 18–24
Get Help Now: (202) 547 7777
Whatever the reason, a young person who needs a place to stay can find a home at Sasha Bruce, as well as counseling and classes that can lead them back to a more stable and supportive family situation, or on a path to true independence and self-sufficiency.
At our organization, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families we serve. Through empowering youth and families to become self-advocates, we aim to cultivate their ability to enact positive change. Our ultimate mission is to contribute to the creation of a more socially just world, while concurrently strengthening teens’ educational success, life, and leadership skills, as well as promoting healthy behaviors and relationships.
Sasha Bruce Youthwork offers a diverse range of programs designed to educate and empower young individuals, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary for fulfilling and meaningful careers. We encourage active participation in their communities, strive to cultivate a sense of social responsibility, and empower young people to make a positive impact in the world around them.
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Young people experiencing homelessness or who are unstably housed have access to a variety of free services and supports at the center including:
Locations:
Over 1,300 young people will experience homelessness in the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County, MD this year. When you give to Sasha Bruce, you are not just supporting a great organization.
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