Lissy’s Place—Transitional Housing Program

My Home Your Home responded to the urgent, unmet needs of female foster care youth discharged from the child welfare system through a transitional housing program, Lissy’s Place.  The program targets homeless women 18-29 years old, without children, with a history of foster care.  These women have been left without adequate life skills, resources, or support networks to live independently.  Lissy’s Place also serves homeless young women who may not have been in the formal foster care system but share similar transient and unsupportive backgrounds with those who were.  The goals of the program are:  to provide safe, stable transitional housing, interrupting a pattern of transience for this population and enabling them to focus on goals for self-sufficiency; to assist participants increase skills and resources so they are better prepared for independence; and to guide participants toward a safe, successful move to permanent housing.  These are achieved through stable housing and other basic needs, intensive case management, multiple independent learning experiences, connection to community resources, educational workshops, and consistent staff support and guidance.  The program opened September 4, 2001 and began as a pilot project serving six women.   Currently, we provide housing and supportive services to 17 women through a HUD grant awarded in August 2003.

MHYH/Lissy’s Place Wish List

• Bedding-pillows/pillowcases/mattress covers/flat sheets/fitted sheets/blankets (all are twin size)
• Kitchen-placemats/towels/dishrags/oven mitts/placemats/utensils
• Hygiene items-feminine hygiene products/deodorant/toothpaste/shampoo
• Resource books-self-help/employment/money management/education/ literature/poetry
• Towels/washcloths
• DVD player
• Craft supplies-knitting needles/crochet needles/yarn/thread/fabric for sewing
• Art supplies- paints/brushes/color pencils/markers/tape/glue sticks/stencils
• Books – fiction or non–fiction for reading
• Incentives for participants excelling in program –gift certificates (grocery stores, Target/Wal-Mart/Osco, etc.), bus passes, phone cards, movie passes etc.
• Passes for social outings—ethnic fests & Summerfest, sporting events, theater events, etc.
• Combination locks