Markita

Markita grew up in daunting circumstances. Her mother was addicted to alcohol and drugs, and they didn’t have a stable home. At one point they stayed in an abandoned house with no utilities or locks on the doors. “I was so scared,” Markita recalled recently. While growing up, she spent time in and out of 30 foster homes. Today, Markita's no longer scared. Instead of living the nightmare of homelessness, she's pursuing her dreams from the security of her own home at Nicollet Square. Markita, above left, shared her story with more than 800 people who attended Ending Homelessness Together, PCNF 's annual fundraising luncheon. She expressed her thanks for the support and opportunities she's received at Nicollet Square. We at Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation and Families Moving Forward want to thank you too, for making it possible for Markita and all our tenants and families in emergency shelter to move from homelessness to home. You are making a difference in the movement to end homelessness.

Markita now works at Sam's Club and recently completed computer and nursing aide certifications. She pays rent for her apartment and is saving money for a car to make it easier to get to work.

We are pleased that Markita's story is just one example of how Nicollet Square is making a significant difference to youth ages 16 and up who have been homeless or have aged out of the foster care system with no place to go.

At the end of the third quarter this year, Nicollet Square residents are exceeding most of our original goals for housing stability, employment and education. For example, we expected that 50 percent would obtain employment; in fact, 83 percent of the 41 young people have done so through the WorkFast program or unsubsidized, market rate employment. We also expected that 50 percent of those obtaining employment would retain their jobs for three months; 86 percent of those in unsubsidized employment have done so for six months.

With PCNF partners YouthLink and HIRED, we are able to offer safe, high-quality housing; supportive services to help residents become productive and pursue their educational and employment goals; and a community that makes housing Nicollet Square a home.