Mary & Jose Tamayo House Opens
by Nancy Lisk
The Mary and Jose Tamayo house has just opened in Santa Rosa the first transitional living center for the 35 to 45 youth who "age out" of foster care each year in Sonoma County. At age 18, foster care kids are evicted from the "system of care". People at Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) were aware that many of these kids end up on the streets because they don't have family they can fall back on or a safety net in the community. Now a new 24-bed transitional living center on Yulupa Avenue is beginning to make a difference.
At this supportive housing program, SAY offers foster youth a safe home, with 24-hour supervision, counseling, case management, adult mentoring, and independent living skills. SAY Youth Employment Center includes job referrals, workshops on resume writing and interviewing, and job readiness training.
How was Tamayo House created? Community Action Partnership Sonoma County knew the desire of Social Advocates for Youth to serve these former foster youth. In December 2003, CAPSC approached SAY about a possible joint venture. CAPSC and Burbank Housing Development Corporation purchased a vacant assisted living center. Interim financing came from National Bank of the Redwoods and the Corporation for Supportive Housing. It took over a year to plan the program, make decisions about renovations, and find money to get started. Funding came from the State, Proposition 46, City of Santa Rosa, HUD - Continuum of Care, and United Way. SAY also got funding from Medtronic to create a computer lab, and Community Foundation of Sonoma County funded a part-time position.
Tamayo House is the result of three nonprofits all contributing what they do best. Burbank Housing and CAPSC own the building, and SAY manages operations. Frances Caballo, Executive Director of SAY, said "We are grateful to be in a collaborative partnership with CAPSC and Burbank."
Occupancy will be phased, with the first eight residents moving in by the end of April. Residents must meet the HUD definition of homelessness. Most will have private furnished rooms, share showers, community room and kitchen facilities, and pay subsidized rent. Youth must be between the ages of 18 - 24, but those 16 - 18 legally emancipated by the courts are eligible. The client's stay in this 2-year program depends on willingness to abide by program rules and expectations. Two on-site managers support and guide clients, but consequences are built into the program to provide "real life" experiences. The objective is to gradually maximize readiness for independent living, and help these young people renew hope for their future and become self-sufficient, productive adults.
This program still has unmet needs, including bathroom accessories (toilet brushes, mats, toothbrush holders), bookcases, unbreakable/microwaveable dishes and glasses, cork bulletin boards, pans, pots, grocery store gift certificates, twin sheets and pillow cases, twin beds. If you have any of these to donate, please call Gina Bell at 544-3299.