• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Need Help?Give NowLearn More
""

Second Story

  • About
    • Celebrating 50 Years
    • Board of Directors
    • Leadership Staff
    • History
    • Reporting and Financials
    • Contact Us
  • Programs
    • Where We Work
    • Second Story for Teens in Crisis
    • Second Story for Young Mothers
    • Second Story for Homeless Youth
    • Second Story in the Community
  • Stories
  • News
  • Podcast
  • Get Involved
    • Open Door
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Internships
    • Invite Us to Your Group
    • Careers
    • Community Service Hours
    • Youth Advisory Council
    • Contact Us
  • Give
    • Give Now
    • Giving Stories
    • Your Impact
    • Beacon of Hope Society
    • Workplace Giving
    • In-Kind Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Fundraise Your Way
    • Other Ways to Give
    • Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)
  • Contact Us
More Stories

Cassie’s Second Story

March 22, 2017

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Email

CassieCassie came to our homeless youth program, struggling, young, and alone. She was seeking help in order to stay in school, get on track, and build a life. However, not long after settling into the program, it became clear to the staff that Cassie was falling behind for someone her age. Making matters worse, Cassie felt humiliated by this and believed that she was permanently “stupid.” After getting to know Cassie better, our staff believed that there was more to Cassie’s situation than met the eye, and that what she was experiencing was a result of an undiagnosed medical condition.

The staff scoured the pool of resources available at Alternative House, now known as Second Story, and found a way to get Cassie an appointment with a doctor who determined that she had an undiscovered learning disability. What at first seemed like bad news was actually a blessing to Cassie and the Second Story staff because it meant she could finally get the attention and care she needed.

Over the course of several months, our homeless youth program staff pushed for Cassie to be placed in a school that would accommodate her specific needs. In addition to specialized education, Cassie was also able to enroll in job training classes within the school. With great enthusiasm, and a healthy backing of encouragement from the Homeless Youth Initiative staff, Cassie began classes this past September!  She is building skills that accommodate her learning needs and she works hard, daily, to increase her potential to be successful in the future! This is one of many ways Second Story transforms the lives of young people.

« Previous Story
Next Story »

Connect with Us!

Sign up to get Second Story's newsletter and updates, just one or two e-mails per month. You can opt out at any time. We'll never sell or share your information. See our Privacy Policy.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Footer

Programs

  • Where We Work
  • Second Story for Teens in Crisis
  • Second Story for Young Mothers
  • Second Story for Homeless Youth
  • Second Story in the Community

24/7 Crisis Hotline:
Call 1-800-SAY-TEEN, or
Text “TEENHELP” to 855-11

TTY 711

Contact Our Programs

Administrative Office

For administrative matters only:

Mailing Address:

Second Story
PO Box 694
Dunn Loring, VA 22027

Phone: 703.506.9191
Fax: 703.992.0727
Send Us an Email

Donation Drop-Off Information

Financial Information

CFC #41814 | CVC #200397

United Way #8893

Federal EIN: 54-0899463

Second Story is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

GuideStar BadgeCatalog for Philanthropy Badge

Quick Links

Careers
Learn about Volunteering
Learn about Giving
Second Story's Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Donation Refund Policy
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Copyright © 2023 Second Story. All rights reserved.

Need Help?

If you need help right away, our 24/7 hotline provides support and referrals to services in the DMV area.

Call 1-800-SAY-TEEN or text “TEENHELP” to 855-11

You can also learn more about our support for teens in crisis, youth experiencing homelessness, young mothers experiencing homelessness, or our community after-school programs and drop in centers and if you are eligible for our programs. You are also welcome to contact us directly.

Our Programs
Contact Us

Contact Us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Contact Jade Leedham

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.