STOCKTON, CA — The Children’s Home of Stockton marked a significant milestone with the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Aspen Cottage, a project spearheaded by the Leadership Stockton class of 2024. This event celebrated the completion of a year-long effort to renovate the cottage, with $120,000 raised from community members, leaders, and elected officials.
The renovation of Aspen Cottage is part of the Catalyst program, which aims to support transitional aged youth, particularly those aged 18 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness. The program focuses on providing stable housing to help these young adults pursue education, careers, and personal development.
Joelle Gomez, CEO of the Children’s Home of Stockton, expressed her enthusiasm for the project's completion. “This year, our community project was to renovate Aspen Cottage, the fourth house on our campus as part of the Catalyst program. With the renovation complete, we can now accept six more participants, increasing our program capacity by 30%,” said Gomez.
The Catalyst program not only provides housing but also supports through behavioral health services and coaching, crucial for helping participants navigate their transitions successfully.
The community showed strong support at the event, reflecting a collective commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable youth in Stockton. Gomez highlighted the importance of the community's role: "We really believe in housing first. Seeing the community come out with such support and love for this program and these youth is incredibly encouraging."
The renovation of Aspen Cottage represents more than just physical reconstruction; it is about building a foundation for young individuals to thrive and contribute positively to their community.
