About three dozen young people who don’t have stable housing are now part of a new pilot venture called the Direct Cash Transfer Program.

They get $1000 a month, and the priority is housing first. Then they work on other goals, like getting a driver’s license or their GED.

Career Force is the grantee, and Life House is the sub-grantee for the program, which is state funded and slated to run for two years.

Hannah Grunzke is the Youth Career Counselor who is making connections with the participants. “We’re establishing relationships with local banks and credit unions,” she said. “Some have never had a bank account before.”

“What we’ve noticed is that the youth are really connecting to the case management and resources,” shared Jason Malmquist, Futures Program Director at Life House.

For one young lady, she was able to get her son into day care, which is important because she’s starting CNA school soon. She was also able to buy her son Christmas presents.

“It’s been insanely difficult, getting back on my feet as a single mom. But I’ve finally got the feeling that I can take a breath, and can make something of myself,” she shared. “This program has been a big blessing.”