(From left) Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Trey DuPont, Thrive resident Bianca Marchino, Thrive Executive Director Dee Allen and Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick cut the ribbon on Thrive’s new affordable housing.
An apartment building in Harrisburg will now exclusively offer housing for homeless youth.
Thrive Housing Services on Monday cut the ribbon on its new affordable units for 18- to 24-year-olds in Allison Hill.
The Harrisburg-based nonprofit has provided housing and resources to unhoused young adults, especially those who have aged out of the foster care system, for the past 10 years.
The building, on the 200-block of S. 13th St., houses 16 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for individuals and single parents and their children. All units are furnished.
“Today, this ribbon cutting is more than just a ceremony, it is the beginning of a promise, a promise to young adults here in this community to provide safe and supportive housing, a place to live, grow and thrive,” said Dee Allen, executive director of Thrive.
According to Allen, this is the first building completely owned by Thrive providing permanent housing to youth. Currently, they own several other units in the community, and work with landlords to lease numerous apartments to young renters as well.
Inside one of Thrive’s apartment units
Through Thrive’s model, they also help tenants secure other supportive services, get jobs, and learn life skills.
“This program has completely changed my life,” said Bianca Marchino, a 19-year-old resident at Thrive. “Before Thrive, I was homeless with my one-year-old daughter and had nowhere to go. When I got here they welcomed me like family.”
Each tenant at Thrive will pay rent according to their income and has opportunities to receive financial assistance to cover rent for the first few months, Allen said.
Allen shared that her own experience with homelessness at a young age shaped her passion for helping youth find stability. While her family received help from extended family, not all youth have that same support, she said.
“Every kid, no matter what age they are, deserves a place that is safe, a place to live free from violence and a place that they can grow up and be a kid,” she said.
Thrive will also host a “Sleep Out” at Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Nov. 22 to raise awareness of youth homelessness. The event will offer community members a chance to sleep outside in solidarity with those who don’t have a home. Additionally, on Dec. 3, Thrive will partner with Harrisburg-based Little Amps Coffee Co. to fundraise on Giving Tuesday.
For more information about Thrive Housing Services, visit their website.
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