Kylie’s story: the power of listening, trust, and holistic support
Building trust
Kylie struggled with ADHD and attendance issues. It was her senior year, and her school case manager referred her to Partners for Success Family Support Worker Chris for additional support. Chris says Kylie’s willingness to stay engaged was key to her success. “I spent time talking with her about her future goals and dreams, processing challenging and unhealthy friendships and difficulties in her work life,” says Chris.
Strong relationship
They formed a strong relationship while navigating her academic and personal challenges. Kylie regularly sought guidance on topics like employment, housing, and civic engagement. She was curious and motivated. Chris helped her balance these interests with her school responsibilities, collaborating with her case manager to structure check-ins and support her academic progress. Through consistent encouragement and a team-based approach, Kylie built the skills and confidence needed to pursue her goals.
Violence prevention support
A turning point came when Kylie and her mother were forced to flee their home due to a domestic violence situation. Initially told their only shelter option was hours away, Kylie and her mother faced the prospect of leaving the area and disrupting Kylie’s education. Chris connected with the Lewis House, where a 360 Communities advocate quickly completed an intake and offered shelter locally. This was a game-changer.
Staying at Lewis House allowed Kylie to continue attending her school in person, while her mother maintained employment and accessed services through 360 Communities. The ability to remain in their community brought stability and continuity during a time of crisis.
Connection to community supports
From there, Kylie’s progress accelerated. Chris connected her with The Link for housing and job support and Hired, a youth career and employment program, which helped cover costs for her driver’s license and college application. Kylie completed her graduation requirements, voted for the first time, and is now a licensed driver employed at a daycare.
Hope for the future
She enrolled at Inver Hills Community College to study psychology. Throughout this journey, 360 Communities played a vital role in maintaining her stability during crisis, giving her the foundation she needed to graduate and launch into her next chapter with confidence. She and her mother remain close as they both search for affordable housing. Kylie’s story is a testament to the power of responsive, wraparound support during life’s most difficult moments.
The Power of 360 Communities
From our roots of listening to the community, 360 Communities has grown into an organization that responds with programs and resources designed to meet the unique needs of the people we serve. Our holistic services have blossomed to include violence prevention, family support, healthy food, school support, and much more.