CLVU asked the YWCA To Do The Right Thing | City Life / Vida Urbana

CLVU asked the YWCA To Do The Right Thing

Since 1990, Aswalos House in Grove Hall, Dorchester was one of the YWCA's unique, important programs, serving homeless teens who were young mothers. The Aswalos House program was special and got results. Young mothers took parenting classes, got their GED's and learned skills to live on their own with their children. Aswalos House provided structure, safety and opportunity for self-improvement to a very high risk population. In July 2006 the young women living at Aswalos House with their young children were told by the YWCA that it was selling the property and closing the program. Thanks to tenant organizers at City Life/Vida Urbana, these women came together in solidarity and were able to negotiate with the YWCA to delay their no-fault evictions until October and provide them new homes, and thus, some safety and security, at least for the near future.