The YWCA Santa Monica / Westside's Transitional Housing and Education Program offers its residents a variety of Life Skills classes to help them work towards independence and self sufficiency. Healthcare and Well-Being
A former YWCA board member who is a private physician and the Westside Family Health Center provide medical care to House residents. Westside Family Health Center provides comprehensive, high quality, cost-effective healthcare plan in an educational and supportive environment that empowers patients to take an assertive role in caring for their well-being through all stages of life. Click here to find out more about Westside Family Health Center.
Counseling ServicesCounseling services are provided by A Home Within, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality therapists for foster and former foster youth. A positive connection to a caring adult is vital to the healthy development of every child. A Home Within seeks to heal the chronic loss experienced by foster children by providing lasting and caring relationships to current and former foster youth. A Home Within connects foster youth with volunteer therapists through local chapters in communities across the country and improve the lives of foster youth through direct services, professional training, public awareness, and advocacy. Click here to find out more about A Home Within. Financial LiteracyThe YWCA works with community organizations and professional volunteers to bring a dynamic series of financial literacy classes that help young women in our program develop solid financial practices, discipline, and responsibility that will serve them throughout their adulthood Los Angeles Urban League - Individual Development Account Program
The IDA program is a matched savings program that allows qualified, low-income individuals to save money in special custodial accounts. The offered match provides an incentive for qualified individuals and households to continue saving for an extended period of time, usually between 12 to 24 months, and until they have reached a pre-determined goal in their savings.
After completion of savings, participants can use their money along with the match for a qualified purchase of a business or education. As part of this program, participants also receive a required 10 hours general financial literacy and a minimum of 8 hours of additional asset-specific training at no cost. This program is far more than a match payout for an asset purchase. It promotes healthy savings habits and access to the financial mainstream. Here's how it works: Participants save $1,000 and receive a match of $2,000 towards their education or to start a small business (at least 6 months). They attend quarterly meetings, 10 hours of financial literacy workshops, and 8 hours of asset specific training. Click here to find out more about the Los Angeles Urgan League. Alliance for Children's Rights
The Alliance for Children's Rights helps to guide youth ages 16 to 24 through the difficult transition from foster care to independence by educating them about their legal rights and responsibilities and empowering them with skill building workshops and access to resources. The Allies Mentoring Program is designed to further support these youth by providing them with caring, consistent, adult role models who will help empower them to make good decisions and set attainable life goals. Workshops provided by the Alliance for Children's Rights include: Click here to find out more about the Alliance for Children's Rights. Community VolunteersThe Housing and Education Program is fortunate to work with motivated community volunteers to program residents on the following topics: If you would like more information about becoming a life skills volunteer, please contact Maria Abenes at | 
