Ozone House is set to open a new home for youth in crisis in Ypsilanti by the end of 2019. As of April, Ozone House's "Front Door" fundraising campaign has raised more than $3.8 million to build a new 19,000 square-foot facility at 1600 N. Huron River Drive.
"When young people walk through our front door, it changes the trajectory of their lives," says Krista Girty, executive director at the Ozone House.
Susan Allison, campaign co-chair, described the new "Forever Home." It will have 16 private bedrooms that can sleep up to 32 young people, up from five shared rooms that sleep 12 at their two current facilities, 11 dedicated counseling rooms, three kitchens, seven youth bathrooms, a food pantry, multiple laundry and shower facilities, easy access to public transportation and it will be fully ADA compliant. Allison said the new home will be on the Huron River on a wooded lot, ideal for providing young people a space to heal and overcome trauma.
"Young people that are fleeing violence, neglect, or rejection need to know there is a safe place they can go in their community. We have been doing this work for 50 years and it's time for our facilities' quality to match the quality of our services," said Girty. "Ozone House has moved seven times in its 50 year history and is ready for the stability of a forever home in the community."
Homelessness for youth means more than the absence of a safe place to sleep, enough food to eat or shelter from the cold. It means a lack of safe, stable, reciprocal relationships and vulnerability to dangers such as physical assault, sexual assault, or human trafficking. Ozone House helps young people in Washtenaw County, ages 10-24, develop safe and reciprocal relationships, as well as shelter them from the cold and dangers of being homeless.
The community is invited to Ozone House's 50th anniversary celebration on Sunday, June 2, at The Farm at St. Joe's, 5557 McAuley Drive in Ypsilanti, from 2-5 p.m. Please RSVP at [email protected]. Tours of the new home and presentations from young people will occur throughout the event.
Ozone House reached over 4,000 young people in 2018, providing 24-hour year-round services at no charge to youth and families. The Ozone House invites community members to make a contribution that will ensure Ozone House can support young people and their families for the next 50 years and beyond. To make a donation please go to ozonehouse.org, call 734-662-2265 or send checks to Ozone House with "Front Door" in memo line to 1705 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
For more information about the Ozone House, visit ozonehouse.org.
