"When I dare to be powerful, to use my strengths in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid" -- Audre Lorde

When I was a child I moved from place to place. My mother couldn’t keep up with the financial demands of our household, so we struggled a lot and were evicted often. I told my teachers that I was in “transition” because my things were in storage and we were always moving. Due to our housing instability, I was exposed to and shouldered a lot of shame and trauma at a young age. This narrative of not having a stable place to call my own and of constantly being in transition lent itself to a lot of my confidence and self-esteem issues. I didn’t feel like I belonged anywhere. And if I'm being totally honest, I started using this narrative as my crutch to justify bad behavior and reckless decision-making. Had it not been for the amazing social networks in my life--the angels in the outfield who gave me second and third chances--my outcomes would have been dramatically different. If not for the people who went out of their way, who sewed into me, and nurtured my potential, I wouldn't have had the strength to overcome my challenges.

I had the support and encouragement to take advantage of the best educational opportunities and wonderful mentors which led me to meaningful employment. I defied the odds of the girl always in transition. But there are too many young women without that support. They are struggling with housing and their life outcomes are circumscribed by it. For that reason, my purpose is to improve access to safe, quality and affordable housing so that more young women and girls can self-determine their life outcomes. Through advocacy, direct service, and now research, I’ve focused my career on examining the racial and gendered intersections of housing and public health. All of my experiences have prepared me for this moment to finally have the courage to commit to my deepest desire.

With excitement and a deep commitment to the wellness of young women, I have written my business proposal for the transitional living center, My Sisters’ Room. This center will be a self-sustaining program that caters to the complex needs of young women of color who have experienced or who are at risk of homelessness.

Similar to the core elements of the Delancey Street Foundation, My Sisters’ Room will provide stable housing as well as job readiness in at least three marketable skills. The women of My Sisters’ Room will have access to supportive services like case management, general or continuing education, counseling, life and job skills training, and an asset building savings account.

Unlike other shelters, My Sisters’ Room will promote the health and wellness of young women through supportive and sustainable housing, social enterprise, and sisterhood. Every young woman deserves a room of her own and a community of support. 

Please support this vision of housing, inspiring, and healing communities, one young woman at a time by donating directly to the My Sisters’ Room paypal account: [email redacted].

By donating today, you are helping us secure nonprofit status and enabling us to apply for critical funding opportunities to do this Work.

In Service & Solidarity,
sade