Aftercare: Where Housing Becomes Home

When someone receives the keys to their own apartment, the journey doesn’t end—it begins.

At Grandma’s House of Hope, permanent housing is not just about four walls and a roof. It’s about stability, confidence, belonging, and knowing that you are not alone. That’s where our Aftercare Program comes in—and where staff like Adriana De La Torre, our Aftercare Case Manager, make a lasting difference every single day.

More Than Housing Support

Adriana describes aftercare simply, yet powerfully: helping our graduates maintain their housing and build the skills they need to thrive independently.

Each graduate’s journey is different. Adriana meets people where they are—assessing their needs, checking in weekly, and providing hands-on support ranging from rental assistance to budgeting help, tenant education, and connections to community resources. She works closely with landlords, property managers, housing specialists, and county agencies to ensure every graduate has a strong support network behind them.

But aftercare is about more than logistics.

The Human Connection

“There’s the technical side,” Adriana says, “and then there’s the human side.”

Sometimes aftercare looks like reviewing finances or navigating transportation. Other times, it looks like sitting quietly on a couch, watching a movie together. For many graduates, the transition to housing brings an unexpected challenge: loneliness. After years of living in community, being alone can feel overwhelming.

Adriana fills that gap with presence.

She listens. She checks in. She reminds graduates that they still belong—that even though they no longer live in one of our homes, they are still part of the Grandma’s House of Hope family.

“That sense of belonging,” she says, “means the world to them.”

Empowerment, Not Dependency

Aftercare is a two-year program with one clear goal: empowerment.

Adriana works side by side with graduates to help them build confidence and independence—teaching life skills, reinforcing healthy boundaries, and preparing them for a future where they can navigate challenges on their own.

“It’s not about doing everything for them,” she explains. “It’s about giving them their power back.”

That means honest conversations, accountability, and encouragement—helping graduates anticipate consequences, make sound decisions, and develop coping skills that will serve them long after formal support ends.

A Story of Resilience

One graduate Adriana visits weekly moved into her apartment after leaving our emergency shelter program. She carries a history of trauma and loss, and early on, being alone felt frightening.

Today, her apartment is peaceful, spotless, and filled with pride. Adriana describes walking in and feeling calm—everything in its place, a reflection of how far this graduate has come.

“She inspires me,” Adriana says. “Knowing where she came from and where she is now—it’s powerful.”

A Lifetime of Belonging

Aftercare is closely connected to Grandma’s Family Tree, our alumni association that ensures graduates remain supported long after program completion. For many, it’s the first time they’ve experienced continuity of care—knowing someone will still check in, still care, still show up.

“They get excited when they hear there’s more support after housing,” Adriana shares. “They feel seen. They feel valued.”

The Grandma’s Difference

What sets Grandma’s House of Hope apart? According to Adriana, it’s authenticity.

“We do this work with love. We hire the right people. We lead with compassion and intuition. Our participants feel that.”

We don’t just provide services—we restore what was lost: dignity, connection, and hope.

As Adriana beautifully puts it, “We give people back their power. Their sense of control. Their sense of community.”

And that is what turns housing into home.