For DAY 3 of the Little Black Dress Initiative, @juniorleagueoflouisville. Today we are starting a conversation about the need for safe and affordable housing. Safe, affordable housing remains a key barrier to youth with goals to get their lives on track. When focusing on day to day survival, meeting your long term goals isn't a priority. At 18 years of age, many times on their 18th birthdays’ young adults are taken from a YMCA Safe Place to the Salvation Army, with no other assistance. It takes 30-180 days for people experiencing homelessness to receive access to permanent housing - which is why short-term housing options must be available to this population that has limited experience or access to resources. COVID-19 has only added barriers to attaining housing. In year one of their involvement with the Coalition for the Homeless, working to meet goals laid out in YHDP, our partner Saint Vincent de Paul provided transitional housing to 33 young adults and 3 children. In addition to fulfilling the imperative need for housing, Saint Vincent de Paul offers weekly programming to transitional housing residents, to help ready them for a permanent housing situation. 80% of young adults moved into permanent housing from this program, most in 6 months or less. 45% of those served reported having a developmental disability, and 25 of 33 reported having a mental illness. Check out Saint Vincent de Paul's website for more information:https://www.svdplou.org/. The Junior League has been working with Saint Vincent de Paul on programming to help these young adults with their transition readiness. We have taught, or have plans to teach classes ranging from healthy relationships, and productive personal interactions, to sexual harassment, basic finance, and sharing hobbies, etc. Please help us further our work with this great organization, and these inspiring young adults by visiting my fundraising page here https://fundrazr.com/61lGM6?ref=3Dab_97ZHF0 #jlloulbdi #iamjll #lbdi (at Junior League of Louisville) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKkeOciAMX3peL_uyTVdxfrBqBMToi4B_3vgqA0/?igshid=m8s68v1vhpcc