When Julie lost her mother in early 2023, not only did she have to face her grief but also the harsh reality of eviction. Like over 3,000 young people every year in Los Angeles, she found herself caught in the uncertainty of homelessness. But Julie’s story didn’t end there. With the help of The Village Family Services and our compassionate staff who go above and beyond, she embarked on a journey from crisis to stability.
Julie was first connected to transitional housing through the Village, offering her a safe place to stay while she worked to regain her footing. Soon after, she was introduced to the Time Limited Subsidy (TLS) program, where her case manager, Lesley, helped her navigate the complexities of securing stable housing. Lesley notes that the shortage of affordable housing and stigma of being unhoused add to the difficulties of finding safe and stable housing.
“People often think homelessness is the result of laziness, bad decisions, or both — but a lot of the time it’s actually neither of those things. Life can change in an instant, unfortunately no one is immune to falling under bad times. Being homeless is extremely draining; It’s not having a stable roof over your head, not knowing where your next meal will come from, not being able to set steady routines because your home life is unstable and not feeling completely safe, just to name a few aspects. You can’t build without a proper foundation. And it doesn’t help that homelessness has such negative connotations — people tend to automatically judge and assume the worst if you mention someone is homeless. Compassion is key, It makes all the difference having people who won’t judge you and will actually treat you like a person instead of treating you like it’s your fault you’re in that situation” – Julie
Through The Village, Julie was able to reinstate her Section 8 housing voucher, secure an apartment, and access essential services such as mental health therapy, food banks, and life-skills coaching. Lesley expanded on some of the tangible improvements she saw in Julie’s life, including learning to budget and manage money, and recognition of trauma and how it affected her mental health. Through the support she received from The Village, she implemented new routines and practices such as self-care and therapy.
“I’ve been homeless twice now; the first time I was twelve years old and we were having financial struggles due to my mom’s chronic illness. The second time I was twenty one, my mom had passed away unexpectedly and I couldn’t make ends meet on my own. Both times I was put in situations that I had no control over, and frankly I didn’t see coming. Anyone at anytime and any age, for any reason, can become homeless — it’s just one bad situation/circumstance away, so it’s good to be kind and have empathy for others. Support makes a world of difference during difficult times.” – Julie
By November 2023, Julie had a home of her own. Over the past year, she has worked hard to build a stable life, with ongoing support from The Village Family Services. Through financial planning assistance, she reduced her monthly rent contribution from $587 to $427, allowing her to save and sustain herself.
Lesley says: “Julie’s story to me is a restoration of stability, sense of hope and empowerment. It demonstrates community impact and validation of the work we do. It’s not just about finding a physical space to live but helping someone rebuild and transform their life.”
If you are a young person who needs assistance, please visit this page for more information.
