Leaphart Place was built by Growing Home Southeast as a launching pad for young adults who are aging out of foster care or other state-assisted living arrangements and are at risk for homelessness.
Leaphart Place
Residents are recommended by Social Services or Mental Health caseworkers and must be approved by a three-person panel, including a Lexington County Mental Health specialist who provides residents with counseling services.
While the 20-apartment facility qualifies as permanent housing, the goal is to help residents learn the everyday skills so they can live independently: how to make a budget, how to shop and prepare meals, how to dress for a job interview.
Most of the residents participate in counseling sessions for issues ranging from anger management to bi-polar disorder. Residents meet to discuss issues that come up at the complex to help them learn to resolve differences in a positive way.
Residents pay rent based on their income. Some receive Social Security disability benefits, some get state assistance and others have jobs. They range in age from 18-25 and come from all parts of South Carolina.
Residents must spend at least 25 hours a week being productive. That means working, going to school or volunteering.
Leaphart Place has a commons room where residents can access the Internet, watch television and make phone calls.
Each furnished apartment has a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen with dining area and a sitting area. A coin-operated laundry facility is available onsite.