3:11 Youth Housing {Welcome Home}

On any given night in Grand Rapids, there are 80 youth experiencing homelessness.

Meet Jon and Lauren. 

In 2012, as Jon and Lauren were praying about their next steps, they were approached at youth group with the idea of beginning a youth housing program.  Lauren and Jon, in partnership with youth, community members, and local organizations launched 3:11 Youth Housing.  Their mission is to develop safe, affordable housing for youth experiencing homelessness and partner in their transition to healthy interdependence.  Read their amazing story here.   

We walk alongside each young person who moves into 3:11, setting goals together that make sense for their life circumstances. We eat weekly meals together as a community and develop relationships through intentional conversation. Overall, we engage with young people from their point of reference and walk with them as they move themselves to the next step in their lives.

This past March they celebrated their Second Annual Welcome Home Event.  The event was filled with 3:11 family, friends, alumni, and partners.  It was an opportunity to share progress made in the past year and a chance to express their vision going forward.   

Kayla welcomed everyone to the event and shared about the history of 3:11.

 In the past 5 years, 3:11 has seen the following results:

• 10 youth housed 
•  4 young people are safe and stably housed after moving on from a 3:11 home
•  8 stable employments and 4 young people receiving job promotions
•  Our youth have saved over $2500 for future housing through their rental savings accounts
•  3 alumni mentoring new youth and engaging in alumni programming

Silent auction bidding had guests watching their phones to see if their bid was the highest. 

 

The event sold out and had a great mix of new and returning supporters.

Support 3:11 Youth Housing by becoming a Brick Layer today.