Housing

ARC

Housing

Housing remains a critical need for transitional-age youth and adults returning home from incarceration. ARC’s transitional housing programs provide residents with on-site life skills programming, trauma counseling, educational support, employment guidance, and live-in mentors. By offering a stable and supportive environment, ARC improves reentry outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals returning to Los Angeles County.

Since 2014, ARC has provided transitional housing for members returning home after incarceration. Our first program, “Bromont” launched in September 2014 in Sylmar, California, and was specifically designed for individuals coming home after serving long sentences of ten years or more. Today, ARC operates three housing sites across Los Angeles County:

  • Magnolia Youth Transitional Housing Program in Koreatown, Los Angeles
  • Lorena Adult Transitional Housing Program in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles
  • Hollywood Dorm in Atwater Village, Los Angeles

Magnolia

Opening in 2021, Magnolia Transitional Housing Program is a 22-bed site located in Los Angeles’s Koreatown neighborhood. Magnolia serves Transitional-Aged Youth (TAY), ages 18 to 25, who come home from juvenile halls in Los Angeles and across California.

Magnolia is a safe, supportive, and empowering environment designed to help young people rebuild their lives. Using trauma-informed approaches, we provide residents with the tools and resources they need to succeed: life skills development, counseling, job training, academic support, and opportunities for personal growth and independence. Every young person who enters Magnolia is paired with an on-site Life Coach who helps create a personalized reentry plan based on their goals and needs. Through weekly check-ins, Life Coaches consistently support, track progress, and help navigate challenges.

Because many of our members live with the effects of trauma, including PTSD and Post-Incarceration Syndrome, mental health support is a core component at Magnolia. Magnolia offers one-on-one therapy and on-site clinical services with a full-time therapist, creating an accessible space for healing. ARC also partners with St. John’s Well Child and Family Center to provide additional care, including medical services and psychiatric support when needed.

Meet the Team

Lorena

In 2021, ARC relocated its Transitional Housing Program for adults over the age of 26 from the Bromont site in Sylmar to a 36-bed facility in Boyle Heights, now known as “Lorena.” This site offers comprehensive wraparound services, including on-site intensive case management, peer support groups, connections to ARC programs such as workforce development and clinical therapy, and referrals to external resources.

Upon entry, each resident is paired with an on-site Case Manager to develop a personalized reentry plan. This begins with a 30-day plan focused on building immediate structure and stability, laying the foundation for long-term success.

Residents are required to be enrolled in school and/or employed, attend at least two workshops per week, participate in a weekly housing meeting, and attend weekly counseling sessions. They must also adhere to house rules designed to maintain a safe and supportive living environment. Working residents contribute 30% of their income toward rent, with half of that amount returned upon program completion to help them build savings and prepare for independent living.

In 2021, ARC relocated its THP for adult males and females over the age of 26 from the Bromont THP in Sylmar, to a 36-bed complex located in Boyle Heights, dubbed “Lorena.” Lorena offers wraparound supportive services including on-site intensive case management and support groups, and linkages to ARC programs such as workforce development and clinical therapy, as well as external referrals.   

Upon entering ARC housing, each resident is connected to an on-site Case Manager to develop a reentry plan tailored to his or her specific needs. All Case Managers are formerly incarcerated individuals who have first-hand experience of the reentry process and can, therefore, provide unique and authentic guidance and support. Case Managers work with residents to create an initial 30-day plan to establish immediate structure and stability as residents work towards long-term success. During this first month of residence, Case Managers meet at least twice per week with residents and assist them with immediate reentry needs, such as obtaining documentation to pursue school and employment, scheduling counseling appointments, and obtaining professional clothing for job interviews. Residents are required to sign up for medical insurance during their first 30 days in housing, and they are assisted in choosing a nearby primary care physician. Upon admission to housing, residents also receive a “welcome home” package, consisting of personal hygiene supplies, linens, towels, and other essentials.  

While living in ARC housing, residents are required to abide by certain rules and requirements. Residents must be enrolled in school and/or employed; attend a minimum of two workshops per week, a weekly housing meeting, and weekly counseling appointments; and follow house rules that ensure the safety and well-being of all residents. Residents who are working must contribute 30 percent of their pay for rent. Half of this total amount is returned to residents when they leave the program to support them in developing savings. Housing-specific requirements are separate from ARC membership requirements, which include, among others, attending one orientation, performing eight hours of volunteer service, attending regular groups, and completing ARC’s Career Readiness Program. 

Hollywood Dorm

In February 2023, ARC opened the Hollywood CPR Dorm in Atwater Village to support Transition-Aged Youth (TAY) enrolled in the Hollywood CPR program at West LA College.

This program helps formerly incarcerated young adults reenter society by preparing them for union jobs in television and film production while equipping them with life coaching, building up the skills for independent living. The ultimate goal is for participants to launch careers in the entertainment industry and thrive as contributing members of their communities.

Like other ARC transitional housing sites, the dorm offers wraparound services, including personalized support from life coaches and housing staff. While members pursue their studies and workforce training, life coaches assist with mental health, relationship skills, anger management, wellness, and financial literacy to ensure holistic success.

 

 

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