10/09/2026
When Coral talks about her future, she talks about children. She dreams of becoming an elementary school teacher. One day, she hopes to open a childcare center where kids can play outside, grow gardens, and simply be kids.
Â
That dream comes from experience. After a childhood marked by instability, neglect, and abuse, Coral experienced homelessness at 16. Even then, she found herself caring for and supporting other people around her.
Â
With support from Safe Place for Youth and Venice Community Housing, Coral continued her education, eventually earning her high school diploma through Westside Youth Academy. Housing gave her the stability to focus on school, work, and the future she wanted to build.
Â
Today, Coral lives at Rose Apartments, works with children through a local school and a youth-centered nonprofit, and is pursuing her college education. She also advocates for young people experiencing homelessness, volunteers in her community, and shares her story to help others understand what can become possible when young people have the support and stability they need.
Â
Thank you, Coral, for speaking at this year’s Jazz Brunch. We’re so grateful you trusted us with your story and gave our community the chance to hear it in your own words.
Â
Read Coral’s story and learn more about her journey on our website: vchcorp.org/blog.