With the recent opening of residences for up to six men in the organization’s THRIVE Transitional Living program, local nonprofit Christian City now has more room to serve young adults in the metro Atlanta community. Established to house homeless young men and those who have aged out of the foster care system, the new DeJesus-Yates campus consists of two single-family cottages situated on a 13-acre parcel along Highway 138 as part of the multigenerational organization’s 500-acre campus in Union City. 

Christian City’s THRIVE program was launched in 2019 as a residential opportunity for young men and women aged 18-24 where they can receive critical needs including housing, life skills and career training as they transition into adulthood. In addition to the men’s housing, the THRIVE program also operates two cottages that house up to 11 young women. 

All four of the THRIVE homes were renovated to create a space where residents feel safe, comfortable and supported, and they provide a sense of community under the supervision and guidance of a resident advisor. Residents are provided with their own private bedrooms and share common areas. Program participants also assigned a case manager, who helps them stay on track of goals. 

“Imagine being 18 and all on your own facing a myriad of challenges that can be difficult for even the most established person to navigate,” said Keith Horton, Christian City CEO. “There’s a lot to learn about being an adult and many good habits to acquire, and the fact is, these young people can’t do it on their own. If they have no family support, then someone needs to step up, and that’s what we’re doing with THRIVE.” 

In readying the homes for residents, Christian City executed a significant renovation on each of the cottages, upgrading mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and introducing a sophisticated and modern design for common spaces and individual rooms. Each cottage comes fully furnished. Rooms to house two additional young men will be carved out of the terrace level of one of the homes in the coming months, bringing the housing capacity to eight. 

To better prepare youth in the program for adulthood, residents are required to be employed or enrolled in college or vocational school. After six months, the youth will pay a small percentage of their earnings toward rent — money that will be given back to them after they graduate from the program to assist in moving costs, such as the first month’s rent in a new apartment. A key facet of the program is teaching young people about best practices for budgeting. They will be encouraged to save 30% of earnings. 

“Foster children face a unique crisis after aging out of the system. They are forced into the world often with little to no foundational knowledge about what awaits them, and are exceedingly more prone to becoming homeless, experiencing difficulty with finding a job and falling prey to substance abuse issues,” continued Horton. “The THRIVE program is designed to set them up for the future and provide them with the support they need to become thriving adults.” 

The new men’s cottages were made possible by a surprise donation by Virginia Yates, as a way to honor her mother who served as a nurse nearby for many years. The residences are named in her mother’s honor.

Several organizations provided support for the renovation of each cottage, including PNC Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Program, John & Polly Sparks Foundation, Delta Air Lines, World Outreach Fund, Harriet McDaniel Marshall Trust, Thomas Woolford Charitable Trust, Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation, Oren R. Griffin, Lowe’s Home Improvement (Douglasville, GA Store) and Cash Liquidations.

To learn more about Christian City, please visit https://christiancity.org/.