Charlie Lebeau is one of thousands of vulnerable youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. He’s found refuge in Dunamis House in Boyle Heights, one of Los Angeles County’s Homekey motel conversions.
Dunamis is a partnership between Los Angeles County and the nonprofit Los Angeles Room and Board, funded in part with a Homekey grant from the State of California. It provides secure housing and support for college students who previously were living in their car, couch-surfing with relatives or friends, or living on the streets. At Dunamis House, they no longer have to worry about where they will sleep or get their next meal, are on their way to earning bachelor’s and even master’s degrees and completing certificates — some are even on their way to law school.
A recent Los Angeles Times feature on the Dunamis House captured the importance of providing supportive housing for young adults seeking to further their education and embark on careers that provide long-term stability and independence.