Established in 1973, The Residence (formerly known as GAP) is a high-intensity, structured group home in Bethesda Maryland, serving males aged 12-20 who have experienced physical and emotional abuse, neglect, sex and human trafficking, or involvement with the juvenile justice system. The youth who are placed through the Maryland Department of Social Services or the Department of Juvenile Services receive individual and group therapy, trauma informed, positive youth development, life skills development, educational services, pro-social recreation activities, and comprehensive health services. In addition, these youth receive 24-hour residential care and supportive services that focus on family permanency and community reintegration.
Kenneth Studstill, Program Director
Abandoned, rejected, abused, neglected, and alone —who do I belong to? Why doesn’t anyone want me? How come no one loves me for being me? No wonder my distrust and anger with the world, my struggle with building bonds with people, my inability to forgive those who have hurt me over and over again, my failing grades, my feeling of hopelessness, and my inability to love myself.
That was me. I needed to free myself of the guilt and anger and continue my life journey to true independence. I got the tools that allowed me to love myself and to understand that I am fully human and deserve love.
The Residence gave me a second chance at life, with my family. It has not only helped me, but it helps youth from throughout the entire State of Maryland. Many of these youth suffer with abandonment, rejection, abuse, and neglect, but in this 20 bed, highly structured residential, community living programs, they too can achieve stability, whether it be with their family, foster families, or independent living.
Each year, the program serves over 25 youth, aiding their transition to productive adulthood. One participant purchased her own car, earned her college degree from the University of Maryland in epidemiology, saved over $40,000 in savings, obtained full-time employment after completing two internships for the Montgomery County Department of Health and the United States Army. She began the process of purchasing a house before she emancipated at 21.
Since 1995, FILP has prepared male and female youth, ages 16-20 in foster care and juvenile services, to live on their own as productive members of the community. Youth who have been removed from their families are referred to FILP because they are in need of structure, guidance, and support to be successful as they transition out of the child welfare system as young adults. Program participants live in 2-bedroom apartments located in Rockville, Maryland, with access to shopping, public transport, jobs and vocational/educational resources. FILP provides housing, life-skills training, job training/placement resources, counseling and other supportive services which give youth the opportunity to: 1) improve emotional stability; 2) achieve academically; 3) obtain viable and gainful employment; 4) become self-sufficient; and 5) develop healthy family and community relationships. Youth create trustworthy adult relationships and learn how to effectively manage their money, purchase food, prepare meals, maintain an apartment, and meet their recreational, physical and social needs in a positive manner.
Kaylisa Bendu, Program Coordinator
Email: kbendu@nccf-cares.org
The FutureBound Teen Parent Program is an apartment-based independent living program that provides 24-hour comprehensive supervision and teaches concrete life skills to adolescent parents, ages 16 – 20, and is designed to help create positive outcomes for both the single parent and their young child.
Founded on empathy, learning, caring and bonding, FTPP’s Nurturing Parent Program model is trauma-informed, family-centered and evidence-based. Through this model, FTPP enhances parenting skills and prepares the residents to live on their own within the community. Teen parents have the opportunity to: 1) demonstrate positive parental engagement and attachment; 2) increase housing stability; 3) reduce repeat pregnancies; 4) become better educated; and 5) find jobs that promise economic stability. FTPP provides individual and group parenting sessions focused on educational planning, advocacy and housing services, life skills training, job training/placement, counseling and other supportive services.
Kaylisa Bendu, Program Coordinator
Email: kbendu@nccf-cares.org
Teenagers who have aged out of the foster care system, youth pushed out by their families, and those suffering mental health problems, are especially affected by instability that places them at an elevated risk for homelessness and dependency. Because young homeless individuals need significant support to resolve the problems that impede their attainment of self-sufficiency, residential and financial stability, and healthy families, FTHP targets participants who need more intensive supports than is provided at traditional shelters, to help the youth build new support systems, reduce or eliminate their dependence on the public welfare system, and reduce repeated occurrences of homelessness.
A youth must either seek shelter with family or friends or in the adult shelter system, where they do not receive appropriate support services. The FTHP model immediately responds to a growing need in the community, serving a full continuum of homeless youth with inadequate workforce and financial planning skills.
FTHP provides homeless youth with apartment housing in Rockville, Maryland, a resource-intensive area with direct access to public transportation, grocery and retail stores, and a variety of community supports. Our staff are available 24-hours/7 days a week to provide support and guidance, daily reminders regarding program standards and expectations, and to encourage participants to strive towards their goals and transition out of the program. Key program components include: 1) life skills development; 2) educational/vocational assistance; 3) workforce development; 4) savings 5) community linkages; and 6) aftercare support. To date, FTHP has served over 60 homeless youth.
Kaylisa Bendu, Program Coordinator
Email: kbendu@nccf-cares.org
