FALL 2022
The Newsletter of St. Joseph’s Villa
HOUSING WITH HOPE
Oshun opens doors for youth, turning lived experience of homelessness into action
Case Manager Olivia Neefe (left), Oshun, and Erica Holmes, Senior Director of Flagler Housing & Homeless Services (right)
O
shun had barely finished high school before facing nights sleeping on the street. Kicked out of her parents’ home at 18 years old, she was left to assume responsibility for herself with nowhere to go and few she could trust. It was a scary time.
Oshun soon began meeting with members of the Flagler team. It didn’t take long for her to feel comfortable communicating her needs and hopes for housing. Staff allowed her to lead conversations, and presented the resources and services available to help her reach her goals. She says that she could always count on support whenever she called.
in her life, she’s paying it forward by helping other youth who are experiencing homelessness. She currently serves on the Crater Region’s Youth Action Board (YAB), a group which has been facilitated by Flagler for the last three years.
The YAB is a standing sub-committee While staying at a shelter, Oshun of the Crater Area Coalition on met with her church pastor and shared Homelessness (CACH), comprised her situation. Her pastor referred After a year participating in the Flagler of individuals ages 14-24 with lived her to the Villa’s Flagler Housing program, Oshun obtained a new job, experience. Young leaders like Oshun Resource Center in Petersburg. and an apartment in her own name. bring a wealth of insights around issues Oshun connected with our Youth related to youth homelessness, with Outreach Specialist, and says that’s “I can decorate. I have hardwood the goal of guiding service providers when everything started looking up. floors. I love it, I really do. It’s the best and key stakeholders in improving the feeling to be happy.” quality and effectiveness of housing “The next thing you know, St. Joseph’s interventions. Villa was calling me with great news Now that Oshun has gained indepenand great opportunities.” dence and reached a more stable place CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE