The YWCA offers four housing options in two different locations to aid current or former victims of domestic and/or sexual violence, homeless women and homeless teen mothers. Our programs include:
Transitional Housing at YWCA Fina House:
Fina House serves to expand critically needed housing opportunities and social services for some of the most vulnerable women and families in our community.
In these apartment-style units, women participate in skill-building activities that are designed to help them identify and achieve personal and professional goals. The YWCA provides participants with the structure and support to reach these goals while offering safe, affordable and supportive housing. All mothers in our transitional housing must either be in school or work, and have their children enrolled in licensed child care.
Transitional services include:
- one-to-one case management
- economic empowerment workshops
- legal and housing advocacy
- employment / education counseling
- family services and supports
- group activities and celebrations
- follow-up support after transitioning into permanent housing
The OASIS Project at YWCA Fina House
The OASIS Project is a transitional housing service of the YWCA’s Domestic Violence program. The program is for nine mothers and up to 18 children in apartment-style settings. Through this program, survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence establish and work towards personal and professional goals so that they may overcome family violence and homelessness to lead safe, self-sufficient, rewarding lives. Residents may stay in the program for up to two years.
For more information about the OASIS Project, please contact us at 978.682.3039.
Teen Parenting Program [TPP] at YWCA Fina House
TPP is designed to support up to eight teen mothers and 16 children in apartment-style settings This program is for homeless, pregnant or parenting teens typically between the ages 17 and 21 and their children. They may stay in residence for up to two years, and they receive assistance with finding and moving into permanent, safe, affordable housing.
TPP enables young mothers to continue their education and provides them with training in parenting skills, economic empowerment, education and career planning. TPP staff also support participants in goals such as obtaining a high school diploma or GED or enrolling in college, gaining work experience and understanding how to obtain permanent housing, all while strengthening their parenting skills. All residents must be enrolled in an accredited school or GED preparation class, a work-training program or skill-building volunteer work. They also attend counseling and must enroll their children in a qualified day care program. The TPP Program is staffed 24-hours per day, seven days a week.
For more information on TPP, contact Hertelle Oniagba or call her at 978-682-3039.
Single Residency Occupancy Program [SRO] at YWCA Main Building
The SRO program is a permanent housing option for single, divorced or widowed women who have become homeless as a result of domestic and/or sexual violence, and who do not have children living with them.
The program consists of 10-private units with shared kitchen, living room and bathroom facilities. Women living in this residence program receive vocation counseling and case management services, and may live there permanently. Residents pay a sliding-scale housing fee based on income, and placements to this program come through Lawrence Housing Authority.
Permanent, Low-Income Housing at YWCA Fina House
The YWCA offers 7 apartment-style units of permanent housing at YWCA Fina House for eligible, low-income resident families. Two of these apartments are handicap accessible. These residents have access to all services and supports provided through YWCA Fina House.
Residents pay a sliding-scale housing fee based on income and family size. All placements are made by referral through Community Team Works in Lowell.
Economic Empowerment
The YWCA’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Program (EEP) provides workshops, one-to-one counseling, and other resources that effectively provide domestic violence survivors and pregnant and parenting teen moms (90% of whom have also experienced domestic violence) living in transitional housing at YWCA Fina House with the tools to become economically independent. They will obtain and maintain stable housing and provide for their children. While in the program, participants receive a total of 450 hours of workshops, one-to-one instruction and other programs designed to promote economic independence and break the generational cycle of abuse and poverty. EEP is coordinated by YWCA employees with extensive experience working with with trauma survivors.
The program includes:
- Financial Literacy using the Allstate Foundation’s “Moving Ahead through Financial Management” curriculum, which was developed to specifically address the needs of abuse survivors. This comprehensive course has been adopted by 44% of domestic violence programs nationwide.
- Understanding and establishing credit, as well as working to repair damaged credit.
- Steps to obtaining and maintaining permanent housing, and understanding the obligations renters have and the costs and obligations associated with being a tenant.
- Job Readiness training including how to create a resume, complete job applications, interview effectively and understanding workplace etiquette.
- Workshops on accessing job training programs, higher education opportunities and accessing financial aid. Case managers also refer women to GED classes and support them in order to be successful.
- Individual case management and counseling.
- After Care, to support women once they exit YWCA Fina House.
