September 19, 2024

The Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc. (Mirci), along with SC Housing Authority, SC Department of Mental Health, United Way of the Midlands, Leon Levine Foundation, Central Carolina Community Foundation, Carolina Children’s Home, BCBS of SC Foundation, TD Bank Foundation, Parrish Family Foundation, and other partners, is proud to announce that it has begun the construction process of Millwood Place, a new transitional living youth home designed to support unhoused young women in Columbia.

Youth homelessness is a pressing issue nationwide. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, approximately 4.2 million young people experience homelessness in the United States each year. Of these, young women are at an increased risk of violence, trafficking, and exploitation. The situation is no less dire in South Carolina, where nearly 14,000 youth are estimated to experience homelessness annually. In Columbia alone, the need for safe, stable housing options is critical, with hundreds of young people lacking the support needed to successfully transition into adulthood.

“We believe every young person deserves a safe place to call home and the chance to build a hopeful future,” said Julie Ann Avin, CEO of Mirci. “With Millwood Place, we are expanding our proven model of support to create a nurturing space for young women to heal, grow, and regain their independence. Our team is fully committed to providing the resources and guidance needed to help them thrive and succeed. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our community partners, whose support has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life."

Thanks in part to funding support from Mirci’s community partners, Millwood Place will help fill an urgent need in Columbia to provide stable, transitional housing for female-identifying adolescents aged 17-22 who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness.

“United Way of the Midlands is proud of our work to assist vulnerable young adults in our community to be successful, as well as provide safe and stable housing for those in need,” says Sara Fawcett, President and CEO of United Way of the Midlands. “Millwood Place will go a long way in helping young women avoid cycles of crisis and homelessness, and we are so grateful to have new opportunities to invest in long-term solutions and create cycles of success.”

The 10-bedroom home will offer residents a safe environment where they can focus on personal growth and development. Over an 18-month period, residents will collaborate with Mirci’s dedicated staff to create personalized development plans that include securing long-term employment, building supportive community relationships, and addressing trauma and mental health concerns.

Mirci's staff are extensively trained in trauma-informed care, ensuring that residents receive the compassionate support they need. Residents will have full access to Mirci’s community resources and behavioral healthcare services, which are designed to help them achieve positive outcomes like educational certifications and gainful employment.

Since opening its first youth home for male-identifying adolescents in 2018, Mirci has seen remarkable success in improving the lives of the young people it serves:

• 90% of program graduates were employed upon exiting the youth home
• 66% earned their high school diploma or equivalent
• 80% exited to a safe and stable destination
• 100% of the youth who enrolled in Mirci’s psychiatric services reported an improvement in their mental health symptoms

Millwood Place will feature a common area, full kitchen, outdoor garden, laundry room, onsite workspace, and more—providing a secure and nurturing environment for residents as they work towards achieving their goals.

Mirci invites the community to join in celebrating this milestone and support their efforts to provide critical resources to at-risk youth. For more information about Millwood Place and how to get involved, please contact mail@mirci.org.