About Us

Tubman House provides 18 months of housing and support so that Sacramento County's homeless, parenting youth or pregnant women, and their children, can get busy living rather than surviving. At Tubman, young parents experience a holistic program centered on youth development, the strengthening of physical and mental health, educational attainment, career development, and financial management so that so that they leave prepared to be leaders in their own lives and leaders in the lives of their children and community. Children experience stability and blossom in a nurturing home with an on site child development program. In exchange for housing and support, Tubman residents lead Youth Corps, developing leadership and spearheading projects to build up their neighborhoods, schools, and natural spaces. Youth Corps reconnects youth to their community as leaders. Upon joining, each resident creates an 18 month action plan to achieve personal health, mental wellness, and self-sufficiency. The plan includes proactive attention to health, high school completion, college attendance, activities to improve mental health, involved parenting, employment, saving money and clearing debt, and securing permanent housing. Residents grow as parents working with directors in the child development co-op to nurture optimal development for each child. What We Believe: Tubman is fierce in its belief that ALL youth need environments that encourage, and ALL youth need support in transitioning into adulthood. Having these needs does not mean a youth is troubled- it means a youth is alone. When given the same supports most youth take for granted, our residents choose college degrees, secure housing, and meaningful careers. They choose not to make ends meet, but to thrive. We also believe that supporting young parents is complex work with no easy fixes. A job and a diploma does not resolve poverty- a healthy mind and body, a strong spirit, a reliable support network, a strong parent and child bond, the clearing of debt, atonement for mistakes, and freedom from abuse and addiction are all key pieces of the puzzle. What We've Done: Since 2003, Tubman House has served 93 homeless parents or pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 21, and 70 children. Although open to fathers and couples, 90% of our families are headed by single mothers. 35% of our clients are former foster youth. Our residents and their children suffer the physiological and mental repercussions of chronic stress. Their health has been compromised by poor diet, lack of access to prenatal and preventative health care, inconsistent medical treatment, and unhealthy habits for coping. Nearly all suffer situational depression. Despite these challenges, 80% of Tubman's clients secure housing; 77% attend college, averaging 17 units prior to Tubman exit; 90% access mental health counseling; 50% work and attend college; and 75% clear all debts. All commit 6 hours a week to leadership through service learning and management of the Tubman community. Since 2003, residents have completed 3,000 hours of service, leading over 30 projects that include renovating a refugee family's home, creating a documentary on youth homelessness, planting community gardens, raising funds to place a stone on the unmarked grave of one resident's father, gathering donations after Hurricane Katrina and the Haiti Earthquake, volunteering in local shelters, speaking at City Hall and the State Capitol, mentoring juvenile offenders, volunteering for the Special Olympics, and leading weekly crafts for elders with dementia.

Our Mission

Help provide a home, onsite childcare, counseling, & education to uplift young parents and children.

Donations (14)