Research has shown that over 67% of families experiencing homelessness return to shelter in less than 3 years after finding housing.  After years working in shelters Jehu Leconte became more and more frustrated seeing the cycle of housing insecurity repeat itself. Thus, he has dedicated his entire career to serving families experiencing homelessness. In 2020, he founded EDEN to equip families with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to solve their homelessness permanently and break down cycles of multigenerational poverty. 

EDEN works with families in homeless shelters for six months, in cohorts of 10, providing personalized interventions including mentorship and coaching, financial literacy, workforce training, parenting skills, and physical and mental health services. After the initial intensive six-month period, EDEN offers three years of stabilization support to ensure continued success. 

EDEN builds deep trust and hope for families engaging with them as soon as they enter the shelter allowing them to have a tremendous impact on a family’s trajectory.

In addition to serving families directly, EDEN is gathering data on the program’s effectiveness to affect policy change at the Department of Housing and Community Development and to lobby for EDEN-type services at all Massachusetts family shelters.