Nashua drop-in center, Stepping Stones, provides homeless youths a safe space while offering a variety of resources to help young adults become self-sufficient.Kathy Farland opened the center in 2020 and welcomed young people under 25 into the safe space with open arms. “About 70% of our kids leave home actually, because they're being abused. So that's a huge part of it," Farland said. "You can get a feel for how bad it might be at home when a kid would rather live on the street in a doorway, rather than live in the situation they were in.”Coworker Zach Paone said she managed the facility by herself for much of 2021."That winter, she walked to a nearby bridge and found several youth living under there in spite of the elements. Now, only a year and half later all of those youth she found under the bridge are housed," Paone said. Farland helps them with food stamps, housing vouchers, college training, getting a driver's license, finding careers and finding a roommate so they can afford an apartment on their own. The center also provides a place for the youth to store their belongings. "We don't want them to be continually living on the system," Farland said. "So, we help them get into to college training. We help them find careers that they can use to support themselves."The center also provides homeless youths an address to use for paperwork. "There's a whole bunch of resources available, but the kids don't know they're there," Farland said.Not only does Farland provide tangible resources, but she gives the youth someone to talk to. Farland is the emergency contact for many of the young adults. She said a lot of the people she helps call her mom. "I say kids, they're not kids. They are young adults, but they're all kind of my kids to me," Farland said. The biggest thing Farland hopes to provide is a safe space so the youth can reach their goals while feeling comfortable in their own skin. "It gives me a huge sense of satisfaction to work with our youth and know that I was able to play a part in helping them move forward with their lives and reach their dreams and their goals," Farland said. “It doesn't take a lot for them to just really fly, once we can just help them get over a few little obstacles.” Farland hopes to open a transitional housing program. The organization is also working toward keeping the center open 24/7.More info:Stepping Stones, Nashua3 Pine St. ExtensionNashua, NH 03060kathy@steppingstonesnh.org603-787-3016Previous heroes:New Hampshire Food Bank production chef considered 'heart and soul' of kitchenWell-loved 80-year-old Nashua educator says retirement is not on her list of future plansNonprofit founder helps girls discover their full potential with power toolsNew Hampshire woman donates kidney to North Carolina man after seeing need in company newsletterManchester mentor helps youth achieve goals in education, careers by breaking down barriersHealth coach goes above and beyond to help people with mental, physical healthPortsmouth kitchen manager mentors at-risk youth beyond the kitchenSwanzey teacher fulfills life-long dream while honoring fellow teacherKeene nonprofit founder helps to feed New Hampshire children, families among many other resourcesHouse of Hope founder helps women overcome drug addiction, allows children to stay by their side