Once children in CYFD turn 18, they face the reality of being on their own, many without family support. One woman in Roswell is trying to ease that transition by trying to create a space for kids in that position.
ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) – Once children in the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department turn 18 years old, they face the reality of being on their own, many without family support. One woman in Roswell is trying to ease that transition by trying to create a space for kids in that position.
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“It is a four-bedroom house. Each room is equipped with their own keypad to get into their room, so they will have a sense of privacy and security,” said Jeneva Martinez, founding member of SOAR, which stands for Supporting Opportunity for Achievement and Resilience.
The first of its kind, the SOAR House in Roswell is the creation of the non-profit SOAR whose mission is to meet the needs of young adults aged 18 to 24 who are at risk or experiencing homelessness in Chaves County—especially those who are aging out of the CYFD system.
“A lot of times, exiting CYFD, they do not have the same support systems, really don’t have family to return to, and so this program is specifically for 18 to 24-year-olds that are facing homelessness or near-homelessness,” Martinez said.
One of the big problems Martinez said they have identified is a lack of affordable housing for this age group. “When you take the average 18 to 24-year-old that is working minimum wage full time and maybe going to school; we don’t have that type of housing that would support one individual working full time,” Martinez said.
So, in an effort to alleviate the burden Martinez and other collaborators created the SOAR house to provide transitional housing. While the timeline isn’t set yet on when the young adults will move in, and they’re still working out how their tenants rent will be handled: “We have the house and we have clients waiting; but we definitely need items to put in this house to make it a home,” Martinez said.
They hope this model will encourage others in the community: “There is a huge need and I’m hoping this would inspire other property owners and real estate agents to look at expanding housing in this way,” Martinez said.
The nonprofit is working to secure public funding and grant money to help operate the house. They are calling on the community for monetary donations, as well as goods to furnish it. To find out more about the organization and how to donate, click here.