BOSTON — Travoyn Garcia-Parker, an 18-year-old with aspirations in software and mechanical engineering, has overcome significant challenges in his life. Earlier this year, Garcia-Parker experienced homelessness and sought help from theBoston nonprofit Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Struggling to find support, he eventually joined Bridge’s Transitional Living Program, where he learned essential life skills.
“I called different people. Most of my people are from Texas, so I had a really hard time trying to find help,” Garcia-Parker recalls. The program helped him manage his depression and finances, eventually saving money and finding stability.
Next, Garcia-Parker will transition to the Brunson Liberty House, part of Bridge’s Independent Living Program, which provides a supportive, semi-independent living environment. Peter Ducharme, clinical director, explains, “This provides kind of the next step … an opportunity to live in an independent setting that isn’t staffed 24 hours a day, but still have a lot of staff support to help in maintaining all of the gains that you made in our first residential program.”…