Latin American Youth Center -Transitional Living Program & Host Homes

Founded in the late 1960s to serve immigrant Latino youth, LAYC has grown from a small grassroots recreation center to a nationally recognized organization serving all low-income youth and families across the District of Columbia and in Maryland’s Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties.

LAYC’s mission is to support youth and their families in their determination to live, work, and study with dignity, hope, and joy. The TLP and Host Homes program believe and work towards our agency's mission by providing safe, supportive housing through families and staff support. When a youth feels safe and has their needs met, they are able to focus on reaching their fullest potential in school, work, wellness, and community.

The LAYC Transitional Living Program (TLP) and Host Homes (HH) is an initiative designed to help homeless and runaway youth, between the ages of 16-22, transition from adolescence to a healthy adulthood. The program offers residential services with the active assistance of families and individuals within the community. During this period, sponsoring host families receive financial support, training, and professional assistance from the LAYC TLP staff.

We provide two types of programs:

• Host Homes provides emergency housing to homeless or runaway youth between the ages of 12 and 17 for up to 21 days with a certified adult or Host Family in Maryland or Washington, DC. We work with families who may be experiencing difficulties with adolescent behavior problems and mental health concerns as well as the effects of abuse or neglect, trauma, and poverty. 
• The Transitional Living Program (TLP) serves youth ages 18-22 who are experiencing homelessness and/or unstable housing. Youth are provided housing for up to 18 months with a certified adult or Host Family in Maryland or Washington, DC. The Transitional Living Program fosters an environment that promotes safety, well-being, and permanency for youth transitioning into adulthood by supporting youth in their academic, vocational, and independent living skills.

Our program offer safe housing along with the following services:

• Housing with a certified host family
• Case Management Services
• Crisis Intervention
• Advocacy
• Referrals
• Bilingual staff (English and Spanish)