A Conversation with Dr. Donna Cherry, Associate Professor in ETSU's College of Social Work from the Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church about Huschka House Transitional Living: A Place to Bloom  

Huschka House is a new non-profit organization in Johnson City, TN. The mission of Huschka House is to provide affordable, transitional housing and support services to at-risk young adults. This includes youth aging out of foster care but also other young adults who are homeless or at-risk for homelessness. 

So why Huschka House and kids aging out of foster care?

I think the best way to have this discussion is to understand what it means to age out. To start with, it means you are in foster care. If you know anything about foster care, maybe you yourself were in foster care, then you know that only happens when your household has experienced some pretty severe dysfunction in terms of neglect and abuse such that the state deems it necessary to remove you from your family for your safety and well-being. Now, the primary goal is to re-unify you with your family. So, if you age out, this means you are still a ward of the state when you turn 18; this also means that re-unification did not work for you, and that means that your parents are perhaps incarcerated, dead, missing, having addiction problems that they have not been able to overcome, have unstable unemployment or housing. So they cannot provide for you… that also means, think about it, that all of the things that those of us who have grown up in relatively healthy households have had are likely missing: to be socialized about how to be, how to take care of ourselves, how to care for others, have guidance and mentorship about becoming a successful adult, have hope! And believe you are worth something! And so, consider what it feels like to be 17, on the brink of turning 18 and stepping into adulthood with all of the responsibilities of adulthood but without the luxury of a stable and supportive upbringing to prepare you and be there for you as you go forward and make mistakes that we’ve all made as we try to figure out life. Without guidance and support, in addition to traumatic experiences that have scarred your life so far, you can see how these kids easily become homeless. And if that is not a social justice worth being passionate about and fighting for, then I don’t know what is. 

Ready for youth?

Almost. My partner, Steve McKinney and I purchased the first house, stripped down to the studs, over a year ago. We’ve expanded the house so it will accommodate five young men once it’s finished – we’re getting so close! Meanwhile, with a fabulous group of invested and knowledge women, we have established Huschka House as a 501c3 non-profit and now have a website, social media, etc. And with incredible outpouring of time, donations, muscle, talent, energy, and support, we purchased a second house in December 2020 that will be for girls and it is 99% ready to open. The second home will be known as Paige’s Place, thanks to a generous donor. 

How will it work?

Youth, ages 18-21 can be referred to us, we will screen for eligibility and goodness of fit and then they can live in one of our houses for a very affordable rent but also get support and guidance to help them transition into adulthood. They must be employed, and we will encourage them to pursue additional education and training. Since they will live here unsupervised, they will also learn to live cooperatively. So, that is to say, we are trying to strike that delicate balance of having independence but also knowing they have a village of volunteers who both expect lots from them but will also love and support them in whatever they need as they bloom into adulthood. 

Future plans?

We have some. So, first we need to finish, furnish and open Huschka House #1. Then, we have plans for a bike shop behind that house where kids can learn to repair and sell bikes in addition to their other activities. We also want to acquire a warehouse where we can store donations, set up a wood shop, and also set up an architectural salvage retail shop that can help support our operating costs. We also plan to grow and open more homes.  sooner that later. And you are certainly welcome to join us in whatever way you want. 

We would love to have your support, in whatever way you want to be part of our dream and part of the dream of youth who deserve a chance. You can make financial donations through our website, www.HusckhaHouse.org, or by mailing a check made out to, and mailed to, Huschka House Inc., PO Box 774, Johnson City, TN 37605. You can also find and follow us on FaceBook and Instagram, and contact us by email, thinkhuschka@gmail.com, or phone/text Donna at 423-213-9393. Be part of our community!