Gramercy Court Provides Haven for Young Mothers

A couple of years back, clinical social workers Amy Stuart and Robin S. Haussermen were in search of a building they could use as a group home for impoverished single mothers.

The women considered a site on Gramercy Place near the West Adams district, but the deal collapsed. However, Stuart--curious as to what “gramercy” meant--looked the word up in a dictionary. When she found out it derived from the French words grand merci, or great thanks, she quickly called her partner.

“I said, ‘Robin, wherever we find a place, we have to name it ‘Gramercy,’ ” Stuart said. “I wanted to approach this project with an attitude of Thanksgiving every day.”

Today, a half-mile from Gramercy Place, 15 young women will give great thanks as they move into Gramercy Court, a 16-unit subsidized apartment complex developed by Stuart and Haussermen.

“I am very thankful,” said 19-year-old Blanca, who has a 4-month-old son, Jeremiah Jr. The timing is right for Blanca (who did not want to give her last name): She is past the age of emancipation in the county foster care system, allowing government to relinquish responsibility for her at age 18.

“I didn’t have a place to go,” said Blanca. “I would not know where to go. I don’t have an immediate family. I don’t have anybody.”

But now she has Gramercy Court.

The renovated 1923 brick building at Washington Boulevard and Fourth Avenue features apartments with full kitchens and a sleeping area for toddlers.

The opening caps a three-year saga of applications, acquisitions and renovations by Gramercy Group Homes, the nonprofit organization that the social workers created when they became disenchanted with the way foster children were being emancipated from the county Department of Child and Family Services.

“They were supposed to have a plan to release the children,” said Stuart, whose group has received more than $1 million in funding from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Los Angeles Housing Department. “However, too often it was not worked out by both the Department of Child and Family Services and the ward.”

Gramercy Group Homes has received 30 rental applications and accepted 15 young women, 12 with children and three who are pregnant. To be accepted, an applicant must be a single parent or pregnant, have a low income and be considered at risk to be homeless. The tenants will pay a monthly rent of $273 and be required to work six hours a month at the complex.

Blanca, who was abused by her parents and became a foster child 10 years ago, says she is glad the long wait for her own place is almost over.

“I’m going in head first, but I know Gramercy Court is going to be good for me and my baby,” she said.