Our Somerville Village program has reason to celebrate! This month, eight college students in the educational support program for young women experiencing or on the verge of homelessness, will earn their bachelor’s or associate’s degrees. It is Somerville Village’s largest graduating class since opening in 2017, and the realization of its mission. More than half of its 15 residents will be embarking on their next chapters, paving the way for a new cohort of young women who need both a safe landing and a springboard while pursuing higher education.
Those entering Somerville Village start off from homelessness or will be “aging out” of residential or state care. “Many of these young women come from shelters and their journey is a powerful reminder that with determination and support, anything is possible,” explains Program Director Reanna Ross. “Here, they have earned a spot where they are able to thrive and become academic achievers. Now, they’re on honor rolls, going for their master’s degrees and ready to move on with their adult lives. It’s just beautiful. We are super proud of each and every one of them.”
Research has shown that fewer than 3% of youth who age out of care with nowhere to go will earn a college degree by age 25. Somerville Village diverts this outcome, by providing housing, therapeutic, emotional and educational support to women aged 18 to 25, who aspire to achieve their educational and personal goals.
Sometimes, the young women are hard on themselves. One fiercely focused individual, who dreams of working at the United Nations, mentioned to Reanna that she was unhappy with the B- on her transcript from a few years back, when she was homeless. “She could have paused on schooling at that time, but she did not. She stayed full time when she was in shelters,” says Reanna, marveling. “I told her: ‘To receive a grade like that when you’re going through that struggle? You have to sit back and think about that achievement, give it grace and give yourself a pat on the back.’” Reanna’s words resonated with the student; she felt lighter, happier.
“That’s the type of drive we try to bring here,” Reanna continues. “It’s those goal-driven young ladies who want to be successful in life, by going to school and achieving their short-term goals along the way.” Life coaches, like Dorothy Grooms, who are the backbone of the program staff, help them get there.
As the “Mama Hen” of the house, Dorothy keeps on top of all the young women, and she’s always cheering them on. She helps with schoolwork and job applications, supports their mental health needs, advocates for housing, and more. She does everything from helping a senior who is struggling with time management to finish strong to checking out an apartment another is excited about. “We plan out things for the day, the week, the month, and eventually have their path for the future,” says Dorothy. The staff does everything they can to ensure residents are set up for success when they leave.
Dorothy gets emotional when thinking about the grads, their strength and struggles, and the imprint they have left on her. “They are just amazing women,” she says. “They deserve so much, because they’re putting so much into themselves and out into this community, and into this world. I am so proud to even know them.”
Somerville Village’s graduating class is making their mark, and then some. “Their success gives hope to the seven others who are continuing their education,” says Reanna, “and to the next young women who come in.”
