Some young men living in a DC group home are helping to spread the Christmas spirit to others.

Jessica Forres reports on how they're helping a needy family...


Near Dupont Circle at the Renaissance House, a young man who prefers not to give his name… shows off some toys under a Christmas tree...

[NAT:WE GOT A RADIO BOOM BOX, WE GOT CARS]

He and the three others at the home for delinquents will deliver the toys next week to a once-homeless family...

DURING THANKSGIVING WE WAS OUT DELIVERING BASKETS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE, WE WENT TO THIS FAMILY AND KNOCKED ON THIS DOOR. KIDS OPENED THE DOOR, . IT MADE ME FEEL SAD. AND I WAS LIKE FOR CHRISTMAS THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD DO IS ADOPT THAT FAMILY RIGHT THERE.

Maurice Shaw.. a program manager with the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services...says as many as six teens and young adults at a time live at Renaissance House...

THE LAST YOUNGSTER WHO GRADUATED FROM HERE HAD GOTTEN HIS GED HAD A FULL TIME JOB AT FIVE GUYS AND WAS GOING TO SCHOOL TWO DAYS A WEEK FOR HIS EMS.

The young men reside at the house for several months before transferring to government subsidized housing.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 NEWS

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Some teens living in a DC group home are making this a happy holiday season for a needy family.

Jessica Forres reports...

About forty unwrapped gifts sit under a Christmas tree at the Renaissance House, which is operated by the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.

Program manager Maurice Shaw says as many as six "at-risk" teens live there at one time...

MY THING IS WHEN THEY COME HERE I WANT THEM TO NOT JUST CLEAN STREETS AND SHOVEL SNOW. I WANT THEM TO DO THINGS WHERE THEY ARE MEETING PEOPLE UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WHERE THEY ARE GIVING BACK.


For these four young men..."giving back" this year means delivering the toys to a once-homeless family. One of the teens...who prefers to remain anonymous...says the program has changed him for the better.

BEING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY JUST NOT CARING UNTIL I GOT INTO THIS HOUSE. THE STAFF TALKED TO ME AND SAID I NEED TO BE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

The Renaissance House program began last year.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News