A college shelter in Los Angeles, LA Room & Board, is opening its doors, offering homeless youth support for LGBTQ+ college students.
The shelter, located in downtown Los Angeles, is taking proactive steps to offer much-needed support to homeless college students in the city.
LA Room & Board Supports Homeless Students
LA Room & Board, located just 3 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, is a sanctuary for young people facing homelessness and food insecurity.
More than just a place to stay, the shelter aims to be a stepping stone toward a brighter future by focusing on helping residents complete their college education.
The shelter's mission is rooted in the belief that education is a crucial pathway to a better life.
Sam Prater, the founder of LA Room & Board, was inspired to establish the shelter after learning from The California Budget and Policy Center that the LA region will face a shortage of 1 million college-educated workers by 2030.
Determined to make a difference, Prater created a space that feels more like a luxury boutique hotel than a traditional dormitory or shelter.
The Dunamis House, one of the shelter's locations, offers 64 beds, an onsite barbershop, a cafeteria with a gourmet chef, study areas, and lounges.
Prater's vision for the shelter was to recreate the best parts of his own childhood, where there was a sense of community, activity, and laughter.
Prater stated in an interview that he wanted to create a place where people felt safe and supported.
A Safe Haven for LGBTQ+ Youth
Prater, who identifies as a gay man, has made it a priority to welcome LGBTQ+ individuals at the shelter. His own experiences growing up in a religious household where he was often labeled and misunderstood have deeply influenced his commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment.
Prater's empathy for queer youth, who are 120% more likely to experience homelessness, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, drives his dedication to the shelter's inclusive mission.
One resident, Sherbert Diaz, who identifies as queer, found refuge at LA Room & Board after aging out of foster care.
Diaz described the shelter as a place where he feels encouraged to be himself and listened to. He is currently pursuing a real estate license, thanks to the supportive environment provided by the shelter.
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Expanding Horizons and Building Futures
Since its inception in 2020, LA Room & Board has grown significantly, now operating three locations across Los Angeles: Excelsior House, Opportunity House, and Dunamis House.
The nonprofit has expanded from a $500,000 budget to over $5.5 million annually, supported by a mix of public, private, and legacy donors.
The shelter's resources help hundreds of students, like Inasha Venhuda, a junior studying business at Cal State LA.
Before finding LA Room & Board, Venhuda was couch-surfing and struggling to afford housing. Her experience at the shelter has been transformative, enabling her to focus on her studies and achieve her first 4.0 GPA last semester.
Venhuda stated that, being in the hands of LA Room & Board, she does not need to worry about her next meal or having a roof above her head. She adds that the family environment here makes her feel like she finally has a home.
