The Emergency Shelter Grant (ESC) Program, funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Stewart B. Mckinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1988, is administered by ADECA. The program provides approximately $1.4 million annually to local units of governments that subgrant to private non-profit 501©(3) organizations. The purpose of the grant is to provide assistance to homeless persons and victims of domestic violence.  Family Connection, located in Shelby County, provides programs and services for runaway youth and was awarded an Emergency Shelter Grant. Below is the story of one of its participants.

In early January 2004, a 17 year-old young man named Bobby was referred to Family Connection, Inc. for emergency shelter services. It was not beneficial for Bobby to remain in his home due to persistent conflict with his father and stepmother. His mother had left the home some years earlier and did not have contact with her son. Upon entry into the program, Bobby was accessed by program counselors, it was determined that he had dropped out of school in the ninth grade and had little to no academic ambition. Due to the resources made available with Emergency Shelter Grant funds, Family Connection, Inc. was able to provide academic support services that equipped Bobby with the tools to achieve success.

In establishing a service plan with Bobby and his family, Family Connection, Inc. provided Bobby with G.E.D. study materials and practice tests. It was no surprise that Bobby passed his G.E.D. exam on the first attempt. This success helped Bobby to view life differently. He and his family worked hard to reunify, which they did in late March. Due to the availability of the services of Family Connection, a young man’s life has changed. Upon last contact with Bobby, he was maintaining full-time employment, living at home with his father and stepmother, and enrolled in college for the fall. Bobby’s alternate goal is to join the Air Force and serve his country.