Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. seeks to expand the H.O.O.D. House

Chez Smith, founder of Gyrls in the H.O.O.D., and Venisha Bonds, H.O.O.D House Director of Operations. H.O.O.D. House is looking to expand to a building or home. Photos provided by Chez Smith
Chez Smith, founder of Gyrls in the H.O.O.D., and Venisha Bonds, H.O.O.D House Director of Operations. H.O.O.D. House is looking to expand to a building or home. Photos provided by Chez Smith

Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. seeks to expand the H.O.O.D. House

By Tia Carol Jones
Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. wants to expand their vision to have a home for young women in need. It wants to buy a building or a home to house more young women.

Currently, Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. has an apartment where young women, ages 18 and older, are able to live rent free for one year and receive wraparound services. The goal of the H.O.O. D. House is to provide a safe space for young women to live, receive resources and improve their circumstances.

According to Voices of Youth Count, a Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago Initiative, one in 10 young adults ages 18-25 experience some form of homelessness unaccompanied by a parent or guardian over the course of a year. In a 2018 report, Chapin Hall found that pregnancy and parenthood are common among youth experiencing homelessness, and a substantial number of youths experiencing homelessness have their children with them.

Gyrls in the Healthy Optimistic Outstanding and Determined (H.O.O.D) was founded by Chez Smith. Smith wanted to educate young girls about reproductive and sexual health. Smith said the need for housing for young women has increased since the organization began to place young women in the apartment. It received 70 applications for the apartment.

It is a successful endeavor. One of the young women who was housed in the apartment has been able to move into her own place. Now, there is a young mother with a child living in the unit.

Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. is working with an anonymous person to find a place to purchase to house more young women.  Smith said there is not just a problem in Chicago but in most large cities, especially with a pandemic that has widened the wealth and opportunity gap.

“It’s just a large homeless population in major cities, with lack of employment opportunities and you have people dealing with substance abuse addiction and mental health issues. And then, sometimes you just get down on your luck. I think most people are just one or two paychecks from being down on their luck,” she said.

For young women who participate in Gyrls in the H.O.O.D.’s programs, they might have had to flee a domestic or sexual abuse situation, or neglect in the home. Sometimes those young women are put out once they turn 18, without the resources and tools they might need to survive. Other times, young women might not be able to rent a place to live because there is a stigma around renting to younger people. It can be discouraging for young women who are trying to make it on their own, working hard and saving money, but coming up against challenges.

Young women who are chosen to live in the H.O.O.D. House receive mental health services, because they might have experienced trauma also financial literacy services, so they can understand how money and credit works; and short-term certification programs.

The fundraising goal is $250,000. Smith estimates that money will pay for the house or building, insurance, utilities, maintenance and a H.O.O.D. House manager.

Smith is looking to connect with other organizations that are providing housing services to young women.

For more information about Gyrls in the H.O.O.D., visit www.gyrlsinthehood.com.

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