Emergency/Basic Needs | My First Home | College Bound | Career Bound | Mentoring/JIT Champions | Financial Fitness | LEAP

My First Home Program

The My First Home Program fills the gap by providing the essentials for a first home/apartment setup: a bed, furniture, kitchen utensils, linens, cleaning materials, small appliances, lighting, and accessories. Having a bed to sleep on and an attractive apartment setup is a huge boost to the self-esteem of these youth, who have gone through life with hand-me-downs or with nothing at all from their families.

JIT My First Home Guides support all of the activities related to establishing one’s first home. MFH provides essential furnishings for a youth’s first home, while the JIT Guides pick up and deliver donated furnishings and assist with the set-up and decorating. High-quality gently-used items are supplemented by new, youth-appropriate furnishings. JIT’s MFH Guides keep detailed records of expenses and teach the youth recipients about care of a home, shopping for bargains, and getting the most value. This is the first and most challenging step to launching an independent life. Without the support of JIT’s in-kind donations and MFH Guides, many of these youth would continue couch-surfing until they end up homeless or in prison.

Impact: In CY2007, JIT provided MFH set-ups for 18 youth. Since then, we are helping 2-4 youth per month with a full My First Home setup.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

Amanda
One MFH setup five years ago inspired our 2009 annual My First Home for the Holidays event. Amanda Hasana was in foster care for nine years after domestic violence claimed her mother’s life. When she turned 18, JIT helped her move into her first apartment, furnished it, and filled her pantry with food. Today, Amanda is thriving as a senior at San Diego State and interns at a group home facility. In Amanda’s own words, “Just in Time gave me the first place I could call home, a safe haven. The first night that I slept in my own bed, I was so happy—surrounded by furnishings filled with love. The statistics on foster youth are so terrible and yet I was lucky enough to be stepping out into the world with a huge support system.”

Becky
Becky and her sister were locked away and nearly starved to death until they were rescued and became part of the foster care system. During her seventeen years in foster care, Becky was placed in eight different foster homes, not including group homes. When she finished high school, JIT stepped in with words of encouragement, tech tools, and a complete set-up of her empty apartment. Now, Becky works part-time for a local retail company, attends Mira Costa Community College, and dreams of becoming an attorney. She also volunteers as a youth ambassador to assist former foster youth throughout San Diego County.

Latroy
Growing up in the poorest areas of Milwaukee, Latroy moved from one home to another, until he emancipated at age 18. When he moved to San Diego to begin a new life, he also became a full-time student at San Diego City College. JIT first assisted Latroy because he had no bed, home furnishings, or food. Today, Latroy attends Lubbock Christian University as a full-time undergrad and basketball star. JIT’s services provided him with many essential tools. Now as he begins his third year of collegiate studies, Latroy is creating his own destiny.

Candy
In 2004, JIT provided Candy with a MFH setup. She knew that someone genuinely cared about her and wanted to help her transition from foster care. In June, Candy graduated with a B.S. from SDSU and now is working in a law office. A strong advocate for foster youth, she plans to apply to graduate school and hopes to serve in the Peace Corps.

Sade
After living in transitional homes for two years, Sade moved to her own place with nothing it but a computer. MFH completely furnished her apartment and volunteers took her shopping to help her select her own comforter and sheets. In Sade’s words, “The comforter was sky blue and chocolate brown. My apartment turned out real cool and I have the most comfortable bed in the world.” A superb athlete, Sade is in college working toward a degree in sports medicine.

Sam
In 2007, Sam received an “amazing bedroom set, living room furniture and a comforter” (his words). The assistance he received from JIT allowed him to concentrate on his education without the added pressure of furnishing his home. A UCSD student, Sam is a youth advocate and is a applying to SDSU graduate school.

Wesley (In his own words)
In 2006, Just In Time helped me furnish my first apartment with a bed, sofa, table and chairs and all of the other stuff you need to live. They also paid for my first month’s rent and deposit to help me off the streets and start my new life. When I received a laptop, it was the most essential tool for my music business and without it, I would still be dreaming about it instead of living it.

I was headed in the wrong direction in my life and on the verge of either starting a whole new life, or falling back into a bad situation. The volunteers of JIT just didn’t just deliver a few items for my home….when I called them to talk about problems in my life, they always took my calls. I needed to know that someone was out there who cared about me. It is good to know that given all the bad in the world, there is an organization that strives to provide support for youth that need it the most. That is uncommon where I come from in this world. I now have a mentor from JIT who is just like having a real mom.

Currently, I am the owner and operator of Full Control Entertainment, which focuses on educating and involving current and former foster youth in the entertainment industry. I recently released a 9 track CD which features current and former foster youth performing hip-hop, rock, metal, and spoken word style songs. I am also involved in a play, “Telling Stories” funded by the Playwrights Project, acted, produced and written by current and former foster youth. In addition, I have been involved in a campaign, supported by KBPS, to educate and examine domestic violence in teen relationships. The ad campaign aired via radio on 10 major radio stations throughout Southern California. In 2008 I received the Casey Family Programs 2008 Ruth Massinga Award. This award recognizes individuals that work to provide, improve or prevent the need for foster care. I was recognized for my distinguished service to the community and for my leadership and volunteering efforts.

HOW IT WORKS

Referral. Referrals result from a combination of agency and self-referral. We have partnerships with the San Diego County Independent Living Skills program (ILS), the Casey Family Programs, San Diego Welfare Agency, and many other San Diego agencies. Referrals from these sources ensure that the emancipated foster youth have demonstrated motivation toward independence—they are enrolled in school or training programs and/or are working a significant number of hours per week.

Application. Online application forms are submitted to the JIT office via e-mail or fax. To qualify for My First Home, a former foster youth must: 1) be enrolled in a certified school program and/or working a significant number of hours, 2) complete a My First Home application form, 3) show proof of work or school enrollment, 4) agree to participate in the Keep in Touch (KIT) program and 5) agree to complete online survey forms in a timely manner.

Processing. The Program Director scrutinizes the application and facilitates communication among the youth and his/her case manager, donors, and the My First Home Coordinator. Youth who need a few furnishing items are handled by the Program Director based on resources available. For the full setup, the Coordinator assembles volunteer team. The Program Director provides one point of contact between the youth and JIT, earning his/her trust and building a meaningful relationship.

Setup. Based on the applicant’s request and current inventory of furnishings and funds, the Program Director determines the specific resources to be allocated. She pairs the applicant with a JIT First Home Guide team that goes on site for the actual setup. The home is furnished with gently used donated goods as well as newly purchased items. Once a youth gets an apartment, a JIT First Home Guide takes the youth shopping to select new items, such as bedding, a vacuum, pots and pans, etc. to complete the setup. Because the youth gets to choose some of his/her own furnishings, the apartment truly becomes “a home.” This gives the youth a sense of pride and optimism

Participation in Other JIT Programs. Youth are given an overview of all JIT programs and commit to participate in the Financial Fitness program and the resources of JIT Champions. We monitor youth progress through formal and informal methods.

Evaluation. Follow-up information is solicited from each youth annually via an online survey.