Waltham House

Waltham House is the first residential group home in New England designed specifically for LGBTQ+ youth, and was among the first of its kind in the nation when it opened in 2002. Its founding principles are that every child deserves to live in an environment in which they feel safe, respected, supported and cared for by those around them.

Our group home provides a safe and supportive living environment with 24-hour staffing for up to 12 gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender youth ages 14–18. Many youth at Waltham House have experienced difficulty — at home or in placement — due to their gender expression or sexual identities. Their stay at Waltham House prepares them for what is next in their plan, which may be reunification with their families, transitioning to a foster family or preparing for independent living.

In the large, Federal-style home located in Waltham, our LGBTQ+ residential program offers an array of behavioral and mental health services to support youth and help them build the self-sufficiency they will need for their future.

The Home helps to ensure healthy development of all children at risk, without regard to race, religion, gender identity/expression or sexual orientation.

PRIMARY GOALS OF WALTHAM HOUSE

• Provide LGBTQ+ adolescents a safe, conscientious and supportive environment in which to live and grow
• Offer families the support they need in order to become reunified with an LGBTQ+ youth
• Prepare LGBTQ+ youth for independent living by helping them to develop essential life skills
• Facilitate opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth to develop strong connections to LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ communities
• Connect LGBTQ+ youth to gender-affirming medical care providers in the community
• Help LGBTQ+ youth reach their full potential

OUR SERVICES

• Multidisciplinary team approach to treatment plan development and implementation
• Individualized and creative stabilization services and interventions
• Individual, group and family therapy and case management by mental health professionals, including licensed and Master’s level clinicians
• Family outreach and permanency support services
• Life skills development and vocational training
• Opportunities to attend community-based activities, such as sports and after-school programs, including peer education programs and Gay/Straight Alliances, social/support groups and community service projects
• Integrative Treatment for Complex Trauma (ITCT)
• Cognitive Behavorial Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing
• Restorative Justice Practice