Alternative House provides support for at-risk youth and their families through shelter, counseling, crisis intervention and outreach. Three programs provide this support--Emergency Shelter for Teenager, AYM (Assisting Young Mothers), and Community Outreach.

Description:
The Emergency Shelter for Teenagers is a 2-week crisis shelter for youth 13-17 years old who are homeless or abused, have runaway or are experiencing another type of family crisis.

AYM (Assisting Young Mothers) is a transitional group home for pregnant and parenting teenagers (18-21) and their children that helps them develop independent living and job readiness skills and teaches them to be nurturing parents.

The Community Outreach program offers after-school programs and street outreach to high-risk young people in 4th grade through high school to help them stay in school and away from gangs.

History:
Alternative House was established in 1972. It operates the only youth crisis shelter in Northern Virginia and is one of the few to offer a transitional living program for pregnant and parenting teenagers. It also offers the longest-running after-school program in the Culmore community in Falls Church.

Contact person: Susan Blalock, Volunteer & HR Program Associate, (703) 506-9191, (email)
Main office number: (703) 506-9191
TDD number: 1-800-SAY-TEEN
Office fax number: (703) 506-8949

Address:

PO Box 694 Dunn Loring, VA 22027