New Horizons to a New Beginning Transition Housing for women to open soon

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Soon, the New Horizon's to a New Beginning transitional house for women will open in Champaign.

First Followers began as a drop-off center in 2015. In that short time, the program has grown into something that can help many people. Just as it helped Casandis Hunt, a peer mentor and Director of News Horizons House "Since I've been in the program, it has not only helped me help other people. It has helped me to strengthen the things that I want to do in my life."

The first-step house began as a place for previously incarcerated men. The Champaign Housing Authority recognized a need to provide the same support for women.

Hunt said it has been essential to this area,

"When people get released from IDOC, normally it's a struggle to get housing. Even when you come home, you're faced with, even if you go to stay with a relative or whatever, you're faced with a time limit or need to get out, find resources and stuff like that. With our program first followers, we help with all that," said Hunt.

The New Horizon's house, paired with the First Step program, will work to help women get back on their feet.

Hunt added, "Resources, I mean anything from getting your medical card to getting your I.D. to helping you find a job to helping you go back to school to helping you to be able to get your own housing."