Thanks to the generosity of the Naperville community, the Transitional Housing Program (THP) associated with Naperville-based 360 Youth Services recently tallied another success story. Arielle Jardine, age 20, once homeless and a client of 360 THP women’s program, is heading to college with her own car that she received from Naperville Cares.

In October 2012, 360 THP Women’s Program learned that federal funding for its transitional housing program for homeless young women was gone. With assistance and passionate involvement by 360’s Board of Directors and staff, as well as direct community response, the program was kept alive.
According to Debbie Carr, Residential Services Director for 360 Youth Services, if the program had not survived, individuals such as Jardine might have been back on the streets.
“The program is one of only a few in the state and the thought of closing it due to lack of funding seemed ludicrous,” said Carr in a news release.
“Through the collaboration of 360 Youth Services and Naperville Cares, we were able to give one of our clients a car. We are so grateful that an organization like Naperville Cares has the ability to help our clients in such an impactful way,” said Ron Hume, Executive Director at 360 Youth Services.
“Arielle’s independence has increased since receiving her car, she is now able to attend support meetings on her own, go to the grocery store without having to make multiple trips, and not have to rely on others for transportation,” added Rachel Page, Case Manager for THP Women’s Program. “In the future, she will be able to take her car to college with her so that she can travel back and forth from Chicago to Milwaukee to visit family/friends.”
The young woman expressed appreciation that not only is she heading off to college in the fall, but she is now a car owner.
“It’s amazing having my own car,” said Jardine. “I was nervous about driving, I preferred taking pubic transit over driving a car, but it really does make a difference. No longer do I have to walk half an hour and then take transit for two hours just to get to school. It’s a great car, and I am very thankful I got it!”
Did you know? In 2006, 360 Youth Services led the crusade to open the unique transitional housing program for this hugely under-served population. While programs existed in the Chicago metro area for pregnant or parenting young women from this age group, no such program existed in the area for those who were not pregnant or parenting. The program currently has a 98 percent success rate transitioning homeless young women to independence and permanent housing within 18 months.
360 Youth Services impacts 30,000 youth and their families each year through prevention education, counseling, and housing for homeless youth. For more information, visit www.360youthservices.org.