Nonprofit gives Oklahoma youths facing homelessness tiny homes

Oklahoma City — Dachiana Barry is getting her life so as after spending most of her childhood in Oklahoma’s foster care system. For the primary time, the 20-year-old resides on her personal, due to Oklahoma nonprofit Pivot. 

Pivot offers younger folks with a bit home to stay in as they begin their journey into maturity. Many of the residents had been homeless, like Barry, or aged out of the foster care system at 18. 

“I’m very appreciative of what I have right now, what I was provided with, because I didn’t have anything,” Barry stated. “When I first got here, I didn’t have any clothes. I didn’t have any food.” 

The nonprofit owns 26 little homes at one location which might be paid for with personal donations, together with state and federal grants. Residents initially pay $100 a month for a house round 300 sq. toes, which features a dwelling area, kitchen and loo. 

Government information exhibits there are greater than 200 homeless youths in Oklahoma, in accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Pivot CEO Jennifer Goodrich says the nonprofit additionally teaches residents fundamental life expertise, which can assist break the cycle of homelessness. 

“A lot of times they’re not aware of what are the steps to get down that path, because they don’t necessarily know what the resources are, or where to go [in the] community to get that kind of access,” Goodrich stated. 

Barry is now studying the fundamentals and planning an enormous future from her little dwelling. 

“I would take this opportunity like anybody else would,” she stated. “I think this is the type of opportunity that I don’t think anybody should pass up.” 

Omar Villafranca

Omar Villafranca is a CBS News correspondent based mostly in Dallas.