Youth Voice in Action: The Lotus
On April 25th, we celebrated the ribbon cutting of The Lotus—a new permanent supportive housing development in Cleveland created with young adults, for young adults by EDEN, Inc., CHN Housing Solutions, Enterprise Community Partners, and The Centers. The LOTUS isn’t just a building—it’s a milestone in a movement, and a model for what’s possible when young people with lived experience are leaders in the solutions to youth homelessness.
A Place 4 Me staff and REACH Youth Action Board Members Jakiah and Anastasia cut the ribbon at The Lotus!
REACH Youth Action Board members, including Jakiah Moore and Anastasia Blake, played a key role in shaping this project from start to finish. With support from A Place 4 Me, REACH members advised on everything from building design to policies, staffing, services, and even the name of the building itself. Their leadership helped ensure that The Lotus reflects dignity, healing, and the real needs of youth who have experienced housing instability.
This level of youth engagement was made possible through deep, committed collaboration with partners:
EDEN Inc. has shifted policies, empowering residents through councils and peer-led education in partnership with NEOCH.
CHN Housing Partners helped bring the vision of The Lotus to life, providing infrastructure and long-term support.
Enterprise Community Partners is revising internal practices based on youth collaboration—prioritizing resident feedback, updating standards, and committing to continued engagement.
The Centers is working alongside REACH members to launch a new on-site Advisory Council to ensure youth voice guides the building's ongoing development.
Congratulations to our youth leaders, community partners, and every person who made this project possible. The Lotus is a building rooted in belonging—and a blueprint for what’s next. These organizations didn’t just open the door for youth voice—they built space for youth leadership to flourish.
At A Place 4 Me, we’ve supported authentic youth engagement for over a decade. That means young people are not only heard—they’re respected as experts, partners, and change agents. The LOTUS is a blueprint for what our community can look like when we share power and build together.
As Jakiah powerfully stated at the ribbon cutting:
“Join us in the fight to prevent and end youth homelessness in Cuyahoga County—and commit to listening to and engaging young people every step of the way. Real change happens when youth and young adults are not just heard but empowered as leaders in the solutions.”
Join us in committing to that kind of change—today and every day.
Photography courtesy of Thom Sivo Photography.