Boston (8/2/2022) – With new funding from the Department of Mental Health (DMH), The Home for Little Wanderers has recently opened Roxbury House, a first-of-its-kind living program in Roxbury to support young adults with mental illness. The new six-bed facility provides residential support and trauma-informed care for young adults aged 18-25 who suffer from mental health challenges.
“Young adults who suffer from mental health challenges face significant obstacles as they transition into adulthood,” said Lesli Suggs, LICSW, President and CEO of The Home for Little Wanderers. “Without supports from programs like Roxbury House, these residents could end up back in negative family situations or be at risk for substance misuse or homelessness. Roxbury House will help them create a positive, stable path forward, and strengthen their family and community ties whenever possible.”
Roxbury House is intended to serve as a bridge to adulthood. Residents will have access to peer and clinical mentors, learn how to retain employment or job training, and gain basic life skills, including how to save and manage money, which will allow them to live independently with stability. While living at Roxbury House, residents will have access to 24-hour staff support and programming through The Home and DMH.
DMH is committed to supporting young adults by expanding services that best meet their unique clinical and developmental needs. The young adult services are intended to support positive paths into adulthood – toward the goals of personal stability, education and employment, community housing, and positive family/social connections.
“The Roxbury House serves as a place where young people can receive clinical support and services that will provide a foundation for them throughout their lives,” said DMH Commissioner Brooke Doyle. “This home will be a place where residents will have their clinical and developmental needs met while learning essential life skills, offering them greater independence as they move forward.”
The name of the residence, Roxbury House, was chosen by the staff and the first cohort of residents, creating a connection and sense of pride for the residents. This is the first facility The Home has opened in partnership with DMH.
Roxbury House joins The Home for Little Wanderers’ Liberty Village, Somerville Village, Roxbury Village, and Hillsborough Village which support transitional age youth who have “aged out” of the child welfare system.
