Lydias Place Inc

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR YOUNG ADULTS AGES 17 TO 24 WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FOSTER CARE OR HOMELESSNESS WITH THE LONG TERM GOAL OF HAVING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT AND CONTIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

LYDIA'S PLACE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR YOUNG ADULTS AGES 17-24 WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FOSTER CARE OF HOMELESSNESS. THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE YOUNG ADULTS, WITH THE MAJORITY BEING STUDENTS, TO TRANSITION OUT OF THEIR CYCLE OF STRUGGLE AND CHAOS INTO A CYCLE OF HOPE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO BECOME AN INDEPENDENT AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF THEIR COMMUNITY. IN EFFORT TO SUPPORT THESE YOUNG ADULTS DURING TRANSITION, LYDIA'S PLACE PROVIDES ASSISTANCE WITH FOOD,CLOTHING,HOUSEHOLD ITEMS,TRANSPORTATION,TUITION,ETC. THE ORGANIZATION OPENED LYDIA'S BOUTIQUE THIS YEAR WHERE PROGRAM PARTIPANTS AND OTHER NON-PROFITS CAN COME AND GET CLOTHING IF NEEDED. LYDIA'S PLACE ALSO WORKS WITH ANOTHER LOCAL NON-PROFIT TO PROVIDE COUNSELING TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO ASSIST THEM IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH TOWARDS BECOMING INDEPENDENT AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY. .

ONE SIGNIFICANT WAY IN WHICH LYDIA'S PLACE SUPPORTS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IS THROUGH PROVIDING HOUSING WHILE STUDENTS ARE IN THE PROGRAM. THE HOUSING UNITS RENTED AND SUBLEASED BY LYDIA'S PLACE OPENED THEIR DOORS THIS FISCAL YEAR TO THE FIRST PROGRAM OCCUPANTS. FOUR UNITS ARE OPERATIONAL AT LYDIA'S HOMEPLACE, A QUADIPLEX BUILDING RENTED BY LYDIA'S PLACE THROUGH AGREEEMENT WITH LOCAL HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ORGANIZATION. THREE OTHER UNITS ARE OPERATIONAL AT THE ARCH VILLAGE, THROUGH SUBLEASE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN LYDIA'S PLACE AND LOCAL HOMELESS SHELTER ORGANIZATION. THE HOUSING PROVIDES A SECURE AND STEADY ENVIRONMENT AS STUDENTS BEGING THEIR PATH TO LIVING INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT HAVING TO DEAL WITH CO-SIGNERS, DEPOSITS, AND HIGH RENT COSTS.

LYDIA'S PLACE HOPES THAT YOUTH THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED FOSTER CARE OR HOMELESSNESS WILL ULTIMATELY TRANSITION FROM THEIR CYCLES OF STRUGGLE AND CHOAS INTO A CYCLE OF HOPE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO BECOME INDEPENDENT AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. ONE WAY IN WHICH LYDIA'S PLACE SUPPORTS THIS CAUSE IS BY INVESTING IN THOSE STUDENTS THAT ARE ATTENDING COLLEGE AND LIVING IN A DORM ENVIRONMENT. LYDIA'S PLACE DOES AN ANNUAL PROVISIONS OF HOPE BASKET DRIVE WHERE THEY ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO FILL LAUNDRY BASKETS WITH ESSENTIALS FOR STUDENTS LIVING IN A DORM SUCH AS BEDDING, SHOWER CURTAINS, TOWELS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES,TOILETRY ITEMS, GIFT CARDS, AND OTHER BASIC NECESSITIES. THIS YEAR LYDIA'S PLACE PROVIDED 225 SUCH BASKETS TO STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA.