The Story of Sasha Bruce Youthwork
In 1975, Sasha Bruce, a bright, and compassionate young woman, tragically passed away at the age of 29. Determined to honor her daughter’s legacy in a meaningful way, Evangeline Bruce was touched by the work of Debby Shore, a fierce advocate for youth who had recently launched the Washington Streetwork Project to support runaway and homeless teens in Washington, DC.
With early and generous support from the Bruce family, Sasha Bruce Youthworks was born. The organization opened DC’s first 24/7 youth emergency shelter in 1977. Located in a historic Capitol Hill home, the Sasha Bruce House became a beacon of hope — providing safety, compassion, and opportunity to young people in crisis.
Over five decades later, that legacy lives on.
Today, Sasha Bruce Youthwork serves more than 5,000 young people every year, offering a broad network of support that includes:
- Emergency and transitional housing
- Mental health care
- Education and life skills programs
- Workforce development
At the heart of our mission is a simple but powerful belief: every young person deserves a safe place to turn. Grounded in the Bruce family’s enduring values of empathy, generosity, and human dignity, Sasha Bruce Youthwork continues to meet young people where they are — and help them build a future filled with promise.
