COMMUNITY SERVICES Transformation Through Collaboration
24 Homeless Youth now have Safe Housing
E v en before the onset of the global pandemic, life was a daily struggle for countless families across the Washington, DC area. For a quarter century, they have looked to Collaborative Solutions for Communities (CSC) as a crucial resource—a port in the storm from the poverty and violence that challenge their ability to thrive. This year, CSC continued to offer its signature supports through a wide variety of community service initiatives running the gamut from child abuse prevention to rehousing to parenting education. CSC’s programs touched nearly every aspect of clients’ lives, providing critical assistance that empowered them to reach new heights of success. Marcus Moss was one beneficiary of CSC’s high-impact community service programs. The 25-year-old was homeless for over a year before finding CSC—a discovery that completely changed his trajectory. “I learned about CSC through Covenant House (a nonprofit that helps youth ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness, disconnection and exploitation). I qualified for CSC’s Rapid Rehousing Program, and they helped me a lot,” he said. “Not only did they provide some assistance with the rent and with buying some basics once I finally found a place, but more impor- tantly, they helped me navigate being on my own. Their guidance got me stable to a point where I could work and move forward as an adult handling all my responsibilities.” Today, Moss is a Lyft driver and aspiring fashion designer who has stayed connected to CSC and is grateful for its network of care.
RAPID REHOUSING
“CSC helps me access different things I didn’t even know were available to DC residents,” he said. “They also look out for me to make sure I have what I need as far as living day to day, like food for Thanksgiving.” Moss’ contact at CSC is Ruthie Dann, a housing coordi- nator who has been with the organization for over three years. She said working with clients like Moss gratifies and inspires her. “I love everything about my work,” she said enthusias- tically. “Where others cannot reach, I help them reach it. Homelessness in the city is a huge problem, and it’s a joyous thing when a client holds their first apartment key ever in their life. When they succeed, we succeed. I show up at my job not because I get paid, but because I like to help people.”
Whether in the arena of housing assistance or beyond, CSC’s programs and services can be life-changing. Just
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