Providing hope, support, and a path to independence
For young adults transitioning out of foster care, struggling to find stable housing, or navigating parenthood, becoming independent can feel overwhelming without someone in their corner. In Lincoln, The HUB Central Access Point for Young Adults, a nonprofit led by Executive Director Rose Hood Buss, offers practical resources, encouragement, and something just as important: people who show up and remind young adults they aren’t alone.
“Everyone relies on someone during life's challenges, and young adults need unconditional support, access to resources, and think partners rather than just tangible financial help,” Rose said.
“Providing continuous, unconditional support is essential for helping young people achieve independence.”
From a free store stocked with household essentials to community-led life skills classes, The HUB helps young people navigate adulthood. Sometimes, though, the biggest challenge is finding a place to call home.
A Safe Place to Call Home
After spending much of her childhood in and out of foster care because of abuse and neglect, Dee left her group home at age 19. She spent the next nine months couch surfing while navigating adulthood—and pregnancy. “Figuring it all out without knowing I had somewhere safe to sleep every night was hard,” Dee recalled.
She applied for four apartments and was denied each time. Without a credit history, rental history, or someone to co-sign a lease, finding housing seemed out of reach. “The HUB continued to be there for me—I wasn’t alone,” Dee said.
Just 19 days before her baby was due, Dee was approved for an apartment and moved in just in time to welcome her baby home.
Small Gifts, Lasting Impact
Dee’s experience, and other young adults like her, inspired The HUB’s Guarantee Co-Signer Fund, a new initiative to help Nebraska youth aging out of foster care secure housing when they lack a traditional co-signer. The fund will back eligible leases, with The HUB providing case management and emergency support. Union Bank & Trust has agreed to provide guarantee letters to landlords once The HUB's $50,000 fundraising goal is reached. Of that total, nearly $30,000 has been raised through community support already.
Community members can help close the remaining gap and meet everyday needs. “Every contribution makes a difference,“ Rose says.
• $8 buys a 30-day bus pass
• $200 pays monthly utilities
• $500 covers a car repair
• $1,200 pays a month’s rent in Lincoln
Are you downsizing your home? Donations of gently used household goods, including kitchen items, blankets, towels, and small appliances help young adults furnish their first apartments. Volunteers can also share skills such as budgeting, cooking, and car maintenance.
Sometimes, helping a young person build an independent life starts with something as simple as showing up or helping make a safe place to call home possible.
