At the age of 17, “Jaylee” was found sleeping on a park bench in Fairfax County. She was attempting to escape physical and sexual abuse that had been taking place at home by a family member. A passerby in the park noticed Jaylee and contacted the Department of Family Services (DFS) who introduced Jaylee to Second Story while they determined next steps.
Jaylee arrived at Second Story for Teens in Crisis relieved to find a safe haven and skilled counselors. While in the program, Jaylee worked with our staff on coping mechanisms to deal with the trauma she had experienced. She also learned necessary tips and tools for independent living because she was approaching the age of 18. Working together with Jaylee and an assigned DFS social worker, we helped her apply to longer-term programs that would help her transition to a life on her own. The road ahead will still be challenging for Jaylee, but now that she’s safe, she can focus on building the necessary skills to live independently.
Second Story operates the only emergency home for teens in the region. Without our services, local young people like Jaylee would have nowhere to turn.
In Fiscal Year 2024, Second Story for Teens in Crisis provided a safe place to sleep and round-the-clock care for 77 local young people. That meant 1,002 safe nights of sleep for teens who were experiencing homelessness or another crisis. We also answered 275 calls to our crisis hotline staffed 24 hours a day.
Jaylee’s name and other identifying details have been changed to protect her privacy.
