Step Up is a live-in program for homeless youth in Greater Nashua to master independent living skills. Until now, youth made good progress through the Stepping Stones drop-in center, but the missing piece was a stable, consistent, safe place to live while they worked on their skills. With the addition of Step Up, homeless youth who are ready to take on the challenge of living in a space of their own have the opportunity to thrive in a mastery-based program that rewards their progress and challenges them to become a self-sufficient adult. 

 

In four steps, youth maintain their own space and grow in areas such as career development, healthy living, and community involvement. As they master required benchmarks in each step, they “Step Up” into more spacious accommodations and earn increased privileges. Each step also increases individual responsibility: more community involvement, more career options and stronger management of their finances. 

 

Upon graduation, participants will have earned a positive tenant reference, saved funds for a security deposit, and be making enough money to afford their own place. They will have learned to share responsibilities with a roommate, so they afford nicer housing. They will be able to take care of themselves and handle the responsibilities of adulthood–to be ready to live in their own place, and most importantly, leave homelessness behind them!