Stories of Hope

Anthony Ross is the winner of Sasha Bruce’s 2009 College Scholarship Competition. He relayed his remarkable journey from homelessness to a 4.0 grade point average during his first semester at college to a rapt audience at the British Embassy on May 28. Have you ever...

Eve Colberg, 16, is a current resident of Sasha Bruce’s Independent Living Program, a residential facility for homeless teens. Colberg currently works in the office of Mayor Fenty. Colberg landed her job as a direct result of attending the Virgin Mobile Freefest, an...

My life began to change, and in one year, I graduated from high school an honor roll student, got my first job as a US Census enumerator, started saving money, and applying for college. Do you know what it’s like to look to someone to for support and care only for...

Rasheeda, a single mother of one, came to us in 2008 after living in a series of foster care placements. She was pregnant, unemployed, and had dropped out of school in the 9th grade. Rasheeda needed assistance with basic housekeeping, parenting skills and health and...

Kayla came to us in 2008 due to living with a mother who used and abused drugs. Kayla’s mother neglected to provide food and clothing for Kayla and her siblings. At the age of 18 Kayla had two children, no formal education, unemployed and suffered from Depression....

Being in Youth-Led helps you grow as a person because it is a student-based program. My name is Donnell Butler and I have been with Youth-Led for two years. I have had some fun times while working in the summer and volunteering during the school year. Over these past...

Levi Thompson is a Senior at Anacostia High School In Ward 8 and a Peer Leader of our Youth-Led Program. Levi was a keynote speaker atSBY’s fundraising Gala hosted by Lady Sheinwald at the British Embassy on May 9, 2011. His remarks are published here. Good Evening,...

Tracy is sixteen years old. Working with the staff of our Zocalo Program, she transitioned from an unsustainable, unsafe environment, to taking control of her life and becoming a consistent Honor Roll student, living in her very own apartment. Tracy began her time...