30 Stories: Permanent Housing for Young Adults

This year FrontLine is celebrating 30 years of serving with compassion, commitment and community.  In celebration of 30 years of service, over the course of the year we will be sharing with you the stories of 30 people who we have been honored to serve. A YOUNG MOTHER STRIVES FOR A BETTER LIFEPatricia was homeless and 4 months pregnant when she turned to FrontLine’s Permanent Housing for Young Adults (PHYA) program for help.  The PHYA program focuses on working with homeless individuals between the ages of 18 – 24 who are challenged with disabilities.  The challenges that this age group are confronted with are unique, compounded by being caught between the ‘child’ and ‘adult’ systems of care.  Staff from PHYA focus on providing participants with the services and support that they need and work closely with them on learning/strengthening basic independent living skills, stabilizing their physical and behavioral health, supporting employment opportunities and obtaining needed benefits.It wasn’t until she became pregnant that Patricia considered accepting help from FrontLine.  She had experienced abuse and trauma her entire life and did not trust anyone but she did not want her child to face the same adversity and turmoil that she was experiencing.   When she met the people of FrontLine, she was suffering from depression, PTSD, was unable to engage and socialize with others because of the extent of her mistrust and had no support from family, friends, or the child’s father.  In an effort to protect herself, she had become isolated.  She had no supplies for the baby nor the income to buy the things she would need to properly care for the child.  She was overwhelmed.   But slowly, with the help of those at FrontLine, she changed the course of her life and that of her child’s.Patricia moved into her own apartment in November, 2016 and gave birth to a healthy baby.  She learned how to take care of her child, and herself, so that she could continue to make a better life for both of them.  Her child has motivated her to push her own comfort levels, becoming more engaged and trusting of those around her and even making new friends.  She has obtained and maintained a job.  And she wants to go back to school so that she can learn to help others in the way that she says FrontLine has helped her.  Patricia still struggles with mental health challenges but she has support and services to help her address them.  She has a newfound optimism that she has never felt before.  Patricia and her baby still have a long road ahead, but with the continued help of FrontLine, that road will be much more easily traveled.