09/24/2026
Britney smiled when she opened the text message. Attached was a photo of Elena* wearing her cap and gown celebrating a moment she had worked hard to reach. The message read: “With full respect I want to thank you for supporting me over the past year and helping me continue in your program. I appreciate each one of you for your kindness and assistance. I wish you all happiness and success always.”
For Britney, Elena’s case manager, the photo was more than a graduation picture. It was a reminder of how far Elena had come. When Elena came to the US, she was searching for safety, having fled violence in her home country and was seeking asylum. By her junior year of high school, she was facing life on her own with no family nearby and no safe place to call home.
Her high school knew she needed support and reached out to 360 YS and connected Elena with our Emergency Shelter. She found a safe place to stay and caring adults who believed in her.
Elena had experienced trauma, but also showed incredible determination. She stayed focused on her goals and worked hard to create a better future for herself. Britney helped Elena find employment, access mental health support, arrange transportation and made sure her basic needs were met. “Elena was young, but she was extremely motivated,” shared Christie, Program Manager at 360 YS.
Along the way, several organizations came together to support Elena as she continued navigating the immigration process and working toward her goals. After graduating from high school, Elena moved into another transitional housing program in Chicago and will be attending college soon. Today, that cap and gown photo is a reminder of what can happen when a young person has caring people who believe in them.
Because of supporters like you, youth like Elena don’t have to face difficult moments alone. Your generosity helps provide safe housing and the support young people in our community need to move forward.
