Olaiya’s Cradle is Sasha Bruce’s signature program for pregnant and parenting youth experiencing homelessness in the District of Columbia. By providing transitional living accommodations, the program promotes long-term economic independence for parenting youth and ensures the well-being of their children.

SERVICES

To support the long-term stability of parenting youth, Olaiya’s Cradle provides:

TRANSITIONAL LIVING HOUSING: Parenting youth and their child are provided with up to 21 months of site-based dormitory-style housing. Each youth and their child share an apartment with another participant. Each participant will have their room and share common spaces such as the kitchen, living room, dining room, and bathroom. Olaiya’s Cradle also provides on-site housing for 18 months and 6 months of aftercare once the family moves into their apartment.

LIFE SKILLS AND COUNSELING: Youth have access to a suite of supportive services aimed at preparing them for independent living. These services include financial literacy, parenting skills, interpersonal skill-building, educational advancement, job attainment skills, individual and group counseling, parent and child counseling, leisure activities, childcare, and child nutrition.

SERVICE COORDINATION: Working with a case manager, youth develop an Independent Service Plan to reach a self-identified goal and supports needed, including referrals to social services, law enforcement, educational services, vocational training, legal services, health care programs, and affordable childcare or child education programs.