The Take Wing Transitional Living Program
A San Diego, California-Based Housing Program for Homeless Youth
Jan 12, 2009
Take Wing is a housing program designed specifically for homeless and potentially homeless youth. Each individual who enters the program has faced significant hardships in his/her life and is looking to build the skills necessary to become successfully independent.
Age Requirement and Apartment Availability
The 18-month long program consists of a housing component and supportive services. The program is open to youth between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four, but the applicant must be emancipated if he/she is sixteen or seventeen years of age. Youth who are accepted into the program are offered their own apartment (1, 2, and 3 bedroom units are available depending on family size). A special Section 8 voucher opportunity is also available for eligible youth who are parenting.
Rent Payments and the Work/School Requirement
Rent is based on the youth’s income and is calculated as 30% of the monthly amount that the youth brings in. As such, each youth is required to have a source of income. This can be unearned income (SSI, TANF) or income from employment. There is also a $300 move-in deposit.
In terms of the day-to-day schedule, each youth must meet a minimum requirement of 30 hours per week of work/school. Depending on circumstances, this 30 hour requirement can be met solely through employment or through a combination of work and school.
Case Management, Meetings, and Responsibility
Upon admission into the program, each youth is assigned to a Case Manager who provides encouragement and helps oversee progress toward set goals. Group meetings are also required in order to bolster skills. There is an Independent Living Skills (ILS) meeting and a parenting class. At the end of the month, there is a community meeting where program participants gather to discuss community concerns and work together on projects.
Additionally, community service is required as a way to encourage civic responsibility. SDYS relies on grants and donations from corporations and government agencies, and the agency benefits greatly from its dedicated volunteers. As such, the Take Wing youth offer their time and energy for five hours each month as a way to reciprocate and show their gratitude.
As a result of these programmatic requirements which build skills and encourage participation, the majority of the youth who graduate from the program are able to secure stable housing and maintain employment after their exit. And, all of the youth who participate learn money management skills and gain practice making out rent checks as they would in the “real world.”
Because responsibility and honesty are key focus areas, youth must be willing to abide by the program rules and will be held accountable for violations. Communication is emphasized, beginning in the application process and continuing for the duration of stay in the program.
The Application Process
The application process is rigorous, but youth who follow-through have a high percentage rate of acceptance. Youth must attend an orientation meeting, meet with staff for an application, and attend a series of interviews. More information on the application process and the requirements for participation, as well as testimonies from actual participants, can be found on the SDYS website. Interested parties can also call (619) 221-8600 for more information.
Testimonials
Reading the testimonies of program participants provides clear evidence as to the success of the Take Wing program and demonstrates the diligent efforts of the youth involved. One program participant commented that as a result of her time at Take Wing, she “appreciated life more and began to understand how to be responsible for [her] own actions.” Another youth commented, “If it had not been for the Take Wing program, I have no idea where we [the participant and her child] would be living right now. This program has allowed me to save money, work part-time and go back to school. More importantly, it has helped me become self-reliant and independent. I am blessed to be here.”
Blessed, indeed. Take Wing’s commitment to breaking the cycle of homelessness is surely demonstrated in these youth and in the many others that the program has served since 1994.
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