A two generation approach to therapeutic

community & early brain development for single-

mother-headed families experiencing homelessness

Catalyst Project, Inc.

My idea is …..

The User

• Loretta, age 24, unemployed.

• Three children under the age of five, with three different

fathers, two incarcerated and one recently released and

working at Taco Bell.

Loretta's Story

Background

• Loving mother, but emotionally distant due to mental

health issues and stresses of poverty, unstable housing

• Lagging school performance due to frequent absences

• Pregnant and no longer going to school by 10th grade

• Trauma symptoms incline her to be unpredictably volatile

Loretta's Story continued• Since high school, Loretta has had many low-paying jobs, but

they never last long. The trouble might be irregular hours that

she can't find childcare for, missed days for an ill child or

untenable busing of her family to multiple stops both ways for

minimum wage.

• No high school diploma gives little hope for ending this cycle.

• Loretta feels overwhelmed, alone and uncared for.

Finding Out about CatalystPotential Partner

Loretta has been homeless since last July when

she was evicted from her low income housing for

failing to pay rent. She has exhausted the

resources and/or the patience of her friends and

family and is staying at emergency shelters.

After reaching out to Early Head Start for help

with her two youngest, the EHS Housing

Specialist tells her of a house that is opening soon,

if Loretta is willing to live communally. Loretta

says she is open to anything!

ImmersionMeeting & Goal-Setting

Loretta and her EHS advocate meet with

Catalyst staff at the house. Staff explains the

need to have house partners (moms) who are

committed to living in a safe, respectful and

nurturing environment where all are important.

Community is easier said than done. So many

issues- sharing space & things, kids' discipline

and guidelines for guests. Crises erupt, but

consistent presence by staff allows Loretta to

open to other ways to disagree & resolve conflicts.

Emergence

Group and individual practice of grounding,

reflecting, learning and re-working begins to pay

off. Non-violent communication can actually

work! Even with her kids! Loretta has

parenting practices that feel good. She begins to

achieve her goals.

Catalyst staff is present with Loretta for

barriers and celebrations alike. They note her

bravery against the odds and her choices that lead

to achievements. Her voice is valued and she feels

its power. Loretta has options. She might

manage a Catalyst House of her own!

In the End

"For these are all our children, and we will all

profit by or pay for, whatever they become."

James Baldwin