Saint Vincent de Paul
Home for Success 

Students are expected to pay a modest rent, which includes utilities and internet access, and the provision of common household supplies. Students are also expected to assume responsibility for chores and behaviors appropriate to a shared living situation that has an educational focus. Finally, students are expected to pursue all financial aid opportunities available to them to minimize the need to work while going to school.

​

All applicants must have completed high school with a diploma or equivalent. While living in the home, residents must be enrolled in an undergraduate program at a local postsecondary institution, taking at least six units per semester, and have a plan to complete an initial course of study within three years (four years for students with no prior college credits). Individuals with fewer than six college credits when moving in may live in the house for up to four years. Those with six units or more may live in the house for up to three years.

​

In accepting applicants, priority is given to students who:

• have been in foster care or similar settings during their teenage years and who are currently housing insecure;

• are or will be attending Santa Rosa Junior College (although applicants may be enrolled in any local college);

• are at least 18 and under the age of 25 at the time of application.

​​

Next Steps: if you are interested in applying to become a resident at the Home for Success, please send an email to home@svdp-sonoma.org. Please include the following information in your email.

• Your full name

• Your current address

• Your date of birth

• Your cellphone number (if you have one)

• An email address to which you have access and we can reply

• Your preferred start date

​

After sending this email, you will receive a reply with a request to provide some additional information that will help us get to know you and to determine if the Home for Success would be a good place for you. You may also be asked to provide a high school transcript and a letter of recommendation from an adult who knows you well. You may also be asked to participate in an online (Zoom) interview.
 
If you know someone who should apply, please direct them to this page on our web site. Thanks!

 

Mentoring Resources

 

Home for Success is going through a transition of leadership and mentoring support. 

 

Dan Sullivan, the former mentor-in-residence, is relocating to San Francisco but will remain available by phone or Zoom for career planning and academic counseling for our former or current students. He has a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University and is a professor emeritus of media management and economics at the University of Minnesota. Throughout his career, he has been an academic and career advisor for students ranging from high school juniors and seniors to students pursuing a Ph.D.

 

Katherine Foster, Karen Kellam, and Gary Boehmer are “Friends of the Home for Success” and are available to address any unmet needs of our student-residents. Examples include but are not limited to medical or dental connections, local resources, and help with life skills such as cooking, money management, traveling, or informal counseling.

Katherine is a retired pediatrician, Karen is a retired SRJC counselor, and Gary is a retired clinical social worker. All three are old enough to have a wide variety of life experiences. 😊

 

The team looks forward to getting acquainted with each student over time and helping to make living at Home for Success a rich experience.