A shelter in downtown Los Angeles is taking proactive steps to offer much-needed support to homeless college students.
The LA Room & Board's Dunamis House looks more like a luxury boutique hotel than a typical dormitory or shelter. It provides 64 beds, an onsite barbershop, a cafeteria with a gourmet chef, study areas and lounges."I wanted to kind of create the best parts of my childhood, where there were a lot of people around, a lot of noise and activity and laughter, and make sure that people felt like they could be safe," Prater said.
Prater was homeless after adhering to his father's rule of moving out of the family home at age 18. The National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that LGBTQ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ youth. Diaz arrived at LA Room & Board six months ago after aging out of foster care and having no place to go. He says he prefers the shelter because it encourages him to be himself and makes him feel listened to. He is currently trying to obtain his real estate license.The LA Room & Board motto is to treat everyone with the same respect no matter what community they are representing. They welcome young adults of all races, religious beliefs and sexual orientations.
She said her experience at the shelter has been wonderful and supportive. Venhuda also got her first 4.0 last semester because of the support they provide at the shelter.