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Over 1,300 young people will experience homelessness in the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County, MD this year.
Get Help Now: (202) 547 7777
Programs
In the nation’s capital, homelessness is a growing problem with fewer affordable housing options available each year. This creates a significant challenge for young people and working families in need of safe and stable shelter. At Sasha Bruce, we are dedicated to addressing this issue.
Our programs not only offer counseling and classes but also provide a home for young individuals who need a place to stay. We guide and support them, helping them find stability within their families or empowering them to achieve true independence and self-sufficiency. Our goal is to provide a pathway for youth to build a brighter future and break free from the cycle of homelessness.
Sasha Bruce House is a compassionate alternative to the dangers of the streets for homeless, abandoned, abused, neglected, and runaway children. DC’s only short-term shelter for young people, Sasha Bruce House is open 24 hours a day, serving youth ages 11 to 17. By providing a safe place to stay and intensive counseling services, Sasha Bruce House helps most youth reunite with their families and works to return all young people to stable and safe environments. On-site services include crisis intervention; individual, group, and family counseling; case management, support for shelter graduates, and temporary respite care.
Promise Place is an emergency youth shelter in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The shelter provides homeless, abandoned, abused, neglected and runaway youth a compassionate alternative to the dangers of the streets and/or unstable housing. Operated in partnership with the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, Promise Place is open 24 hours a day and serves up to 20 youth at one time. By providing a safe place to stay and intensive counseling services, Promise Place helps most youth reunite with their families and works to return all young people to stable and safe environments. On-site services include crisis intervention; individual, group, and family counseling; case management, support for shelter graduates, and temporary respite care.
As a crucial partner of the Sasha Bruce Drop-in Center network, FCUCC offers a safe place to rest, shower, and receive education, mental health, and employment services. For long-term solutions, coming to the Drop-in Center is the beginning of a process aimed at stabilizing youth and reintegrating them into the community. In the past year, our Drop-in Center has connected more than 25 youth with transitional housing programs.
About UCC
First Congregational United Church of Christ (FCUCC): The FCUCC was founded in 1865 by abolitionists as the first racially integrated church in Washington, DC. In 1867 the mission committee of the church played an integral role in the founding of Howard University. Today, the FCUCC nurtures the spiritual development of DC residents of all ages through the unparalleled leadership of Rev. Audrey C. Price, Ph.D.
About our Sasha Bruce Youthwork
Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY): SBY makes an enormous difference in the lives of hundreds of young people with nowhere else to turn. Founded four decades ago by current Executive Director Deborah Shore, SBY has evolved from an all-volunteer outreach program into a high-impact, multi-disciplinary agency. The hallmark of our work is improving access to safe homes and providing positive experiences for young people in crisis. In the past two years, we have added an important piece to our continuum of care for youth: a network of Drop-in Centers providing direct services to homeless youth and guiding them to resources to allow them to exit life on the street.
Project Safe Place provides safety and shelter to young people in immediate danger or in need of services. Since 1989 SBY has been the Washington DC sponsor for Project Safe Place, a national program that works to provide a safe place for youth in need of crisis-related help. Project Safe Place is a network of businesses, community organizations, and fire stations that serve as entry points to SBY services and can be identified because they display the Safe Place logo. When young people access these sites, personnel at the location call SBY and provide a safe place for the young person to wait while SBY dispatches a trained counselor to pick up the youth. Young people are brought to the Sasha Bruce House shelter where they have access to all of SBY’s services. Young people who need assistance can also call the Safe Place hotline directly at 202-547-7777 to speak with trained SBY staff.
202-547-7777 (emergency)
SBY Street Outreach prevents and intervenes in incidents of community violence, specifically in Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8. This program provides services to young people and their families who are at high risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of violence. Our culturally competent approach includes street-based outreach and safe “drop-in” spaces in areas where violence is most acute, case management services, and special youth development activities.
Our efforts are sustained through true community collaboration and partnership. Strong relationships with District agencies, resident councils at public housing projects and other key stakeholders are crucial and uniformly valued.
The Family Strengthening Program helps young people and parents communicate about expectations, rebuild trust, and resolve conflict. We provide support for teenagers and young adults to be safe, connected, and set up for success!
All of our services are free. We typically work with families for up to 6 months on a weekly basis.
We typically work with youth ages 12-24 and/or their parents in these situations:
We are happy to accept referrals directly from youth, parents/family members, community agencies, and other concerned individuals. If you have questions about whether we can help you or someone you know, feel free to reach out and learn more! You can call us at 202-875-3261 or email us at strengtheningfoundations@
We look forward to working with you to bring stability and strength to your family during challenging times.
*Need to speak with SBY Staff outside of normal business hours (M-F, 9am-5pm)? Please call 202-547-7777
Hobbies: As the parent of a toddler, free time is scarce. When I have free time I love to get out in nature, watch movies, or draw. “I especially enjoy working with youth in the LGBTQ+ community and with parents/family members who are trying to respond with grace to all of the challenges of raising a young person transitioning to adulthood.”
“I enjoy working with youth that feel they do not have a voice. I work with different types of youth and help them find connections and help repair broken bonds within their family.”
Hobbies: I enjoy dancing, modeling, traveling, eating sweets, hanging out with loved ones, and doing creative projects. “I have a passion for helping others heal! I believe that the youth are the leaders of our future. I am a well-rounded professional who uses educational principles obtained from my Master’s of Social Work degree, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families. “
The Family Strengthening Program helps young people and parents communicate about expectations, rebuild trust, and resolve conflict. We provide support for teenagers and young adults to be safe, connected, and set up for success!
All of our services are free. We typically work with families for up to 6 months on a weekly basis.
We typically work with youth ages 12-24 and/or their parents in these situations:
We are happy to accept referrals directly from youth, parents/family members, community agencies, and other concerned individuals. If you have questions about whether we can help you or someone you know, feel free to reach out and learn more! You can call us at 202-875-3261 or email us at strengtheningfoundations@
We look forward to working with you to bring stability and strength to your family during challenging times.
*Need to speak with SBY Staff outside of normal business hours (M-F, 9am-5pm)? Please call 202-547-7777
Hobbies: As the parent of a toddler, free time is scarce. When I have free time I love to get out in nature, watch movies, or draw. “I especially enjoy working with youth in the LGBTQ+ community and with parents/family members who are trying to respond with grace to all of the challenges of raising a young person transitioning to adulthood.”
“I enjoy working with youth that feel they do not have a voice. I work with different types of youth and help them find connections and help repair broken bonds within their family.”
Hobbies: I enjoy dancing, modeling, traveling, eating sweets, hanging out with loved ones, and doing creative projects. “I have a passion for helping others heal! I believe that the youth are the leaders of our future. I am a well-rounded professional who uses educational principles obtained from my Master’s of Social Work degree, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families. “
The Independent Living Program provides residential services for homeless young people ages 18 – 24 years old who are unable to return home. Residents may be self-referred or referred by case workers or family. The ILP program offers apartment-style living for teenagers unable to return home due to absent or severely dysfunctional families or to young people transitioning out of foster care homes. Residents may stay in ILP housing for up to 18 months. Residents must be enrolled in school, work part-time, and save portions of their income. Some also contribute to their rent. When individuals are able to move out on their own, ILP counselors help them find apartments and roommates and provide follow-up support to help them achieve stability.
The Transitional Living Program (TLP) provides supervised apartment living for older youth ages 18 to 24 whose family problems prevent them from living at home. Residents may be self-referred or referred through the DC Department of Human Services. TLP residents may live in SBY-managed apartments for up to12 months, receiving counseling and support services and learning life skills they need to live independently. TLP requires residents to be enrolled in school, work part-time, and save portions of their income. Some program residents also contribute to their rent. The TLPstaff provides counseling, life skills training, career guidance, job referrals and aftercare counseling to assist TLP graduates in living successfully on their own.
SBY’s Transitional Housing Program offers service-enriched apartment-style living for families exiting emergency shelters in the District of Columbia.
Initiated in collaboration with the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, SBY grants ten families exiting city shelters seamless access to transitional housing units at Belmont Crossing Apartments. Residents receive a wide range of housing, case management, employment assistance, life skills education and other positive youth development services. Continuously updated, individualized service plans for each resident are geared towards the overall goal of assisting families in transitioning to independent or subsidized permanent housing.
Extended Transitional Housing Program (ETHP)
The road to success is dependent upon a person’s ability to advocate, regulate, navigate, and engage in one’s own wellness and education. PASSAGES provides youth between the ages of 18-24 living with a disability, a shared apartment living experience along with the tools needed to independently and successfully engage and manage milestones. These levels of achievement include legal, medical, employment, social, educational, and relationship building. Residents may stay in ETLP housing for up to 6 years. Residents must be enrolled in school, work part-time, and save portions of their income. Some also contribute to their rent.
Our team meets the youth where they are in life to assist them with accessing the necessary tools to obtain educational opportunities and/or to secure competitive employment to promote income sustainability and access to resources. These resources are instrumental to live with little to no support in Independent Living Programs, Rapid Rehousing, Reunification, and Self Placements.
PASSAGES is located in the District of Columbia’s 8th ward. South East of the Anacostia River, PASSAGES is a 9 unit shared apartment building, newly renovated, offering 2-5 bedroom apartments. Potential residents are invited in for a tour and introduction to the program before matching with potential roommates. PASSAGES is easily accessible to the DC metro bus and train system.
The Permanent Housing Program grants 13 young families (head of household ages 18-24) exiting city shelters seamless access to 2-bedroom apartments. Families receive a wide range of housing, case management, employment assistance, life skills education and other positive youth development services. Continuously updated, individualized service plans for each resident are geared towards the overall goal of assisting families in transitioning to independent housing.
Olaiya’s Cradle is Sasha Bruce’s signature program for pregnant and parenting youth experiencing homelessness in the District of Columbia. By providing transitional living accommodations, the program promotes long-term economic independence for parenting youth and ensures the well-being of their children.
CAPACITY
AGE REQUIREMENTS
LENGTH OF SERVICE
SPECIAL POPULATION
To support the long-term stability of parenting youth, Olaiya’s Cradle provides:
TRANSITIONAL LIVING HOUSING: Parenting youth and their child are provided with up to 21 months of site-based dormitory-style housing. Each youth and their child share an apartment with another participant. Each participant will have their room and share common spaces such as the kitchen, living room, dining room, and bathroom. Olaiya’s Cradle also provides on-site housing for 18 months and 6 months of aftercare once the family moves into their apartment.
LIFE SKILLS AND COUNSELING: Youth have access to a suite of supportive services aimed at preparing them for independent living. These services include financial literacy, parenting skills, interpersonal skill-building, educational advancement, job attainment skills, individual and group counseling, parent and child counseling, leisure activities, childcare, and child nutrition.
SERVICE COORDINATION: Working with a case manager, youth develop an Independent Service Plan to reach a self-identified goal and supports needed, including referrals to social services, law enforcement, educational services, vocational training, legal services, health care programs, and affordable childcare or child education programs.
Chloe House is a group home for teenage girls referred by the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. It offers residential care, counseling, and life skills development activities including educational and employment opportunities. Chloe House was named for Tabara Chloe, a former participant of several Sasha Bruce Youthwork programs who established a life-long relationship with the organization.
Residential Empowerment Adolescent Community Home (REACH) is a community-based residential facility for committed and detained youth ages 13 to18 who are in the custody of and referred by the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. REACH provides youth involved in the juvenile justice system with a highly structured, service-enriched, homelike environment as an alternative to institutionalization. The expected length of stay for young people is thirty days. The program emphasizes individual, group, and family counseling; educational remediation; life skills development; substance abuse counseling; and self-esteem building.
Sasha Bruce House is a compassionate alternative to the dangers of the streets for homeless, abandoned, abused, neglected, and runaway children. DC’s only short-term shelter for young people, Sasha Bruce House is open 24 hours a day, serving youth ages 11 to 17. By providing a safe place to stay and intensive counseling services, Sasha Bruce House helps most youth reunite with their families and works to return all young people to stable and safe environments. On-site services include crisis intervention; individual, group, and family counseling; case management, support for shelter graduates, and temporary respite care.
vpayton@sashabruce.org
(202) 547-7777
Address: 1022 Maryland Avenue NE, Washington DC 20002
Promise Place is an emergency youth shelter in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The shelter provides homeless, abandoned, abused, neglected and runaway youth a compassionate alternative to the dangers of the streets and/or unstable housing. Operated in partnership with the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, Promise Place is open 24 hours a day and serves up to 20 youth at one time. By providing a safe place to stay and intensive counseling services, Promise Place helps most youth reunite with their families and works to return all young people to stable and safe environments. On-site services include crisis intervention; individual, group, and family counseling; case management, support for shelter graduates, and temporary respite care.
rbell@sashabruce.org
240-764-8274
Address: Capitol Heights, MD
Partnership with Downtown Business Improvement District and First Congregational United Church of Christ (FCUCC) for a Downtown Homeless Youth Drop-in Center With foundational funding from the Downtown Business Improvement District starting in August 2016, the Drop-in Center at First Congregational United Church of Christ has become an indispensable part of the services offered to disconnected and homeless youth in DC. Church members, Sasha Bruce Youthwork staff and volunteers offer life-affirming respite and support for homeless youth every Monday evening. In the short time since the center opened, more than 400 youth have received assistance (data as of January 2018). Now more than ever, the Center is vital to serving at-risk youth, as the number of youth seeking UCC services has steadily increased in the last several months.
As a crucial partner of the Sasha Bruce Drop-in Center network, FCUCC offers a safe place to rest, shower, and receive education, mental health, and employment services. For long-term solutions, coming to the Drop-in Center is the beginning of a process aimed at stabilizing youth and reintegrating them into the community. In the past year, our Drop-in Center has connected more than 25 youth with transitional housing programs.
About UCC
First Congregational United Church of Christ (FCUCC): The FCUCC was founded in 1865 by abolitionists as the first racially integrated church in Washington, DC. In 1867 the mission committee of the church played an integral role in the founding of Howard University. Today, the FCUCC nurtures the spiritual development of DC residents of all ages through the unparalleled leadership of Rev. Audrey C. Price, Ph.D.
About our Sasha Bruce Youthwork
Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY): SBY makes an enormous difference in the lives of hundreds of young people with nowhere else to turn. Founded four decades ago by current Executive Director Deborah Shore, SBY has evolved from an all-volunteer outreach program into a high-impact, multi-disciplinary agency. The hallmark of our work is improving access to safe homes and providing positive experiences for young people in crisis. In the past two years, we have added an important piece to our continuum of care for youth: a network of Drop-in Centers providing direct services to homeless youth and guiding them to resources to allow them to exit life on the street.
plieber@sashabruce.org
202-675-9340
Address: 741 8th St SE Washington, DC 20003
Project Safe Place provides safety and shelter to young people in immediate danger or in need of services. Since 1989 SBY has been the Washington DC sponsor for Project Safe Place, a national program that works to provide a safe place for youth in need of crisis-related help. Project Safe Place is a network of businesses, community organizations, and fire stations that serve as entry points to SBY services and can be identified because they display the Safe Place logo. When young people access these sites, personnel at the location call SBY and provide a safe place for the young person to wait while SBY dispatches a trained counselor to pick up the youth. Young people are brought to the Sasha Bruce House shelter where they have access to all of SBY’s services. Young people who need assistance can also call the Safe Place hotline directly at 202-547-7777 to speak with trained SBY staff.
igutierrez@sashabruce.org
202-675-9340 (non-emergency)
202-547-7777 (emergency)
Address: 701 Maryland Avenue NE, Washington DC 20002
SBY Street Outreach prevents and intervenes in incidents of community violence, specifically in Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8. This program provides services to young people and their families who are at high risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of violence. Our culturally competent approach includes street-based outreach and safe “drop-in” spaces in areas where violence is most acute, case management services, and special youth development activities.
Our efforts are sustained through true community collaboration and partnership. Strong relationships with District agencies, resident councils at public housing projects and other key stakeholders are crucial and uniformly valued.
plieber@sashabruce.org
202-506-7264
Address: 1022 Maryland Avenue, NE
The Family Strengthening Program helps young people and parents communicate about expectations, rebuild trust, and resolve conflict. We provide support for teenagers and young adults to be safe, connected, and set up for success!
All of our services are free. We typically work with families for up to 6 months on a weekly basis.
We typically work with youth ages 12-24 and/or their parents in these situations:
We are happy to accept referrals directly from youth, parents/family members, community agencies, and other concerned individuals. If you have questions about whether we can help you or someone you know, feel free to reach out and learn more! You can call us at 202-875-3261 or email us at strengtheningfoundations@
We look forward to working with you to bring stability and strength to your family during challenging times.
*Need to speak with SBY Staff outside of normal business hours (M-F, 9am-5pm)? Please call 202-547-7777
Meet our team
SARAH LOVETT
PROGRAM MANAGER
Hobbies: As the parent of a toddler, free time is scarce. When I have free time I love to get out in nature, watch movies, or draw. “I especially enjoy working with youth in the LGBTQ+ community and with parents/family members who are trying to respond with grace to all of the challenges of raising a young person transitioning to adulthood.”
JASMINE COOPER
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
“I enjoy working with youth that feel they do not have a voice. I work with different types of youth and help them find connections and help repair broken bonds within their family.”
KCHINWE EZEOKOLI
CLINICAL FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Hobbies: I enjoy dancing, modeling, traveling, eating sweets, hanging out with loved ones, and doing creative projects. “I have a passion for helping others heal! I believe that the youth are the leaders of our future. I am a well-rounded professional who uses educational principles obtained from my Master’s of Social Work degree, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families. “
The Family Strengthening Program helps young people and parents communicate about expectations, rebuild trust, and resolve conflict. We provide support for teenagers and young adults to be safe, connected, and set up for success!
All of our services are free. We typically work with families for up to 6 months on a weekly basis.
We typically work with youth ages 12-24 and/or their parents in these situations:
We are happy to accept referrals directly from youth, parents/family members, community agencies, and other concerned individuals. If you have questions about whether we can help you or someone you know, feel free to reach out and learn more! You can call us at 202-875-3261 or email us at strengtheningfoundations@
We look forward to working with you to bring stability and strength to your family during challenging times.
*Need to speak with SBY Staff outside of normal business hours (M-F, 9am-5pm)? Please call 202-547-7777
Meet our team
SARAH LOVETT
PROGRAM MANAGER
Hobbies: As the parent of a toddler, free time is scarce. When I have free time I love to get out in nature, watch movies, or draw. “I especially enjoy working with youth in the LGBTQ+ community and with parents/family members who are trying to respond with grace to all of the challenges of raising a young person transitioning to adulthood.”
JASMINE COOPER
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
“I enjoy working with youth that feel they do not have a voice. I work with different types of youth and help them find connections and help repair broken bonds within their family.”
KCHINWE EZEOKOLI
CLINICAL FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Hobbies: I enjoy dancing, modeling, traveling, eating sweets, hanging out with loved ones, and doing creative projects. “I have a passion for helping others heal! I believe that the youth are the leaders of our future. I am a well-rounded professional who uses educational principles obtained from my Master’s of Social Work degree, to enhance the quality of life for individuals and their families. “
The Independent Living Program provides residential services for homeless young people ages 18 – 24 years old who are unable to return home. Residents may be self-referred or referred by case workers or family. The ILP program offers apartment-style living for teenagers unable to return home due to absent or severely dysfunctional families or to young people transitioning out of foster care homes. Residents may stay in ILP housing for up to 18 months. Residents must be enrolled in school, work part-time, and save portions of their income. Some also contribute to their rent. When individuals are able to move out on their own, ILP counselors help them find apartments and roommates and provide follow-up support to help them achieve stability.
mdaley@sashabruce.org
202-675-9375
Address: 1312 East Capitol Street, N.E. Washington DC 20003
Olaiya’s Cradle is Sasha Bruce’s signature program for pregnant and parenting youth experiencing homelessness in the District of Columbia. By providing transitional living accommodations, the program promotes long-term economic independence for parenting youth and ensures the well-being of their children.
Services
To support the long-term stability of parenting youth, Olaiya’s Cradle provides:
TRANSITIONAL LIVING HOUSING: Parenting youth and their child are provided with up to 21 months of site-based dormitory-style housing. Each youth and their child share an apartment with another participant. Each participant will have their room and share common spaces such as the kitchen, living room, dining room, and bathroom. Olaiya’s Cradle also provides on-site housing for 18 months and 6 months of aftercare once the family moves into their apartment.
LIFE SKILLS AND COUNSELING: Youth have access to a suite of supportive services aimed at preparing them for independent living. These services include financial literacy, parenting skills, interpersonal skill-building, educational advancement, job attainment skills, individual and group counseling, parent and child counseling, leisure activities, childcare, and child nutrition.
SERVICE COORDINATION: Working with a case manager, youth develop an Independent Service Plan to reach a self-identified goal and supports needed, including referrals to social services, law enforcement, educational services, vocational training, legal services, health care programs, and affordable childcare or child education programs.
202-675-8371
202-547-7777
Address:5370 Hayes St NE Washington, DC 20019
Chloe House is a group home for teenage girls referred by the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. It offers residential care, counseling, and life skills development activities including educational and employment opportunities. Chloe House was named for Tabara Chloe, a former participant of several Sasha Bruce Youthwork programs who established a life-long relationship with the organization.
jmurray@sashabruce.org
202-675-9380
Address: 701 Maryland Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002
Residential Empowerment Adolescent Community Home (REACH) is a community-based residential facility for committed and detained youth ages 13 to18 who are in the custody of and referred by the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. REACH provides youth involved in the juvenile justice system with a highly structured, service-enriched, homelike environment as an alternative to institutionalization. The expected length of stay for young people is thirty days. The program emphasizes individual, group, and family counseling; educational remediation; life skills development; substance abuse counseling; and self-esteem building.
gjohnson@sashabruce.org
202-675-9222
Address: 716 I Street SE, Washington DC 20003
“Sasha Bruce gave me hope, and a sense of being.” Add a Brief introduction to the family’s story goes here and some additional information related to impact.
