Growing Children

David, a 15-year-old 10th grader at Ballou High School in southeast Washington, D.C., was failing every class. David had the capacity to learn, but he was failing because the system did not recognize or engage him in the learning process. Lydia’s House staff developed a one-on-one relationship with David. During this time David learned that he like to cook, and he realized his short and long term goals. By engaging his parents in the process, Lydia’s House identified an appropriate learning environment that would challenge and direct David. After graduation, David was enrolled in the Marriott Culinary Arts Charter School and maintained a B average while working part-time at an upscale downtown restaurant.

Strengthening Families

Theresa, a 25-year-old mother of five on welfare without a high school diploma, participated in Lydia’s House Welfare to Work program. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to work; she didn’t know how, where to get started or what she wanted to do. Lydia’s House, a certified TANF work site, provided her a safe, supportive work experience. Lydia’s House helped Theresa create a Two-Year Personal Development Work Plan that incorporated her love for children. Today, Theresa has taken her GED, completed training to become a licensed Child Development Associate, and works at a community based childcare facility. For the first time, she not only gets a paycheck to support her family, but she provides volunteer hours as a parent-leader to reduce teenage pregnancy.

Changing Neighborhoods

Lydia’s House purchased and refurbished two apartment buildings and two single-family houses in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River for low-income rental and first time homebuyers.

Janice, a 50-year-old recovering addict received $300 a month in disability. Not being able to afford independent housing, she moved from place to place. However, after having hip surgery she had no home to return to after leaving the hospital.

The probability of Janice being able to find full-time employment that would lead to self-sufficiency was very unlikely. After participating in Lydia’s House housing program, Janice was able to rent a newly refurbished one-bedroom apartment for $150 per month. Her long-range goal is to get a job as a telemarketer.

Karen raised three children in southeast Washington, living in the same apartment complex and the same two-bedroom apartment for 24 years. When her daughter went through a terrible divorce and moved back home with her two children, Karen knew she had to make a change. She attended Lydia’s House “First Time Homebuyers” Workshop and participated in the lease/purchase program. Upon successful completion of the program Karen and her daughter assumed the mortgage on a three-bedroom house in the community they loved.