Fort Worth nonprofit has big plans to provide housing for those experiencing homelessness

The spelling might not look correct, but Abriana Terrell’s mission and heart are certainly in the right place.

She wants to do more than get homeless people off the streets. She wants to bring them to Youtopia — as in YOUtopian Estates, to be exact.

Terrell started the Fort Worth-based nonprofit in early March. Now, she is moving forward with big plans to help as many homeless people as possible as quickly as can be done.

YOUtopian Estates is, of course, a play on the word utopia, which means a peaceful, safe, perfect place, similar to a Heaven on earth atmosphere.

“I decided to incorporate ‘YOU’ so the population we are servicing knows that it is about their individual peace and growth specifically,” Terrell said. “We believe that when a person is given a peaceful atmosphere it can then replicate a peaceful interior within themselves. They can function better in society and try to focus more on self development and improvement.”

Terrell has a goal of raising $250 million, which she admits sounds like a lot. But then, she wants to lead the charge in changing a lot of lives for the better. For comparison, the United Way of Tarrant County had $22.4 million in revenues from June 2021-June 2022.

She is also looking for around 15 or so acres of land on which to place her dream complex.

“Abriana is an amazing visionary and leader,” said Mo’Lesa Williams, YOUtopian Estates board treasurer. “She is exactly the kind of leader that can bridge the gap and offer a new perspective to those trying to understand our homeless community, as well as give those who are currently homeless or impoverished a new experience on life that will change the projection of homelessness.”

Tara Perez, manager of Directions Home, which coordinates housing services and resources for homeless people, said the city encourages developers to create housing for people who have been homeless.

“Housing is the only way to end someone’s homelessness and we are focused on permanent solutions,” Perez said in a statement.

Lauren King, executive director of the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, said Abriana has met with Homeless Coalition staff to learn more about their homeless response system. However, King said she is not familiar with specific details on her plan.

“Together, with our partners, the Homeless Coalition has a shared vision of a vibrant community where everyone has a place to call home,” King said. “We strongly encourage any new organization interested in impacting homelessness to consider investments in housing, as we believe homelessness is a housing issue and will be addressed when people have a permanent place to call home.”

More than temporary help

While a number of charities provide temporary housing, Terrell believes it is important that YOUtopian Estates provide permanent housing. It has plans to build an apartment complex with around 160 units with a capacity for up to 500 people who are housing insecure and need a more affordable place to live.

It will also have an emergency shelter with 80 beds to be used for overnight stays in instances such as inclement weather. In addition, 80 traditional housing units will be used for people who need somewhere to stay while they get their finances stabilized and are able to move into other sources of permanent housing (the apartments will be available to them also).

“The moment a person experiencing homelessness walks through the doors of this organization, we want the weight and pressure of finding a clean, safe, and stable environment to lay their head to fall off of their mind,” Williams said. “We want to provide relief from the shame of experiencing homelessness that a lot of people feel and provide a place people can be proud to call home.”

Addressing mental aspect

Raised with her sister by a single father after their mother suffered mental health issues, Terrell became a social worker after graduating from TCU in 2018 and got her master’s degree in social work at 22 at UT Arlington. She worked with homeless foster care youth, geriatric populations at nursing homes, and hospice.

Now, at 26, as founder of YOUtopian Estates, she said, “I am pursuing my God-given assignment to help those in need.”

Those in need include psychological help, which Terrell plans to provide with YOUtopian Estates.

She noted that psychological services are imperative because they increase self development, reflection, and transcendence in a person’s well-being.

“Many individuals experience some kind of trauma, especially if they are homeless, and we want to be able to help them get through those traumas to create movement along their transition,” Terrell said. “Some of our residents will also just need someone to confide in and give them some direction on what to do. We just want to provide that support system for them.”

Rondregus Underwood, a friend and her media sponsor, said “We all know or have seen someone that could use these plans and programs that she is putting in place, and in general I think it’s an effort to make the world a better place.”

Hummingbird symbol

YOUtopian Estate’s symbol is a hummingbird. Terrell said it’s a spiritual animal that represents healing, transformation and prosperity.

“Our slogan ‘Where YOUR challenges will end and YOUR healing will begin, stems from this,” she said.

Terrell said there will be no fees associated with services as a resident on the campus at YOUtopian Estates. Transitional housing will have monthly fees based on income, as will permanent housing with rental fees.

Terrell said funding for the project is coming from federal grants, donations, public funding, transitional housing program fees and permanent housing rent fees.

Terrell believes YOUtopian Estates is offering a plan that others should follow elsewhere to address the overall homeless problem in America.

“It is known that homelessness is very complex, there is not just one reason pertaining to the increasing rate of homelessness,” she said. “We are trying to house as many people as we possibly can and know that we can help those who would like to be helped.

“Fostering peaceful environments is very important, but giving help to those in need is a two-way street. We want them to be ready and willing to receive the help.”

As to how the general public can help, she said, “We want others to support us in any way they can, whether that be through donations, volunteering, working as employees with us, or even just inspiring others to open their own shelters or find ways to be kind to the homeless community. We are all God’s people, after all, and should do unto others as we would want done to us no matter what situation we are in.”

If all goes according to Hoyle, Terrell said the plan is to expand and build other permanent housing solutions and campuses statewide, nationwide, and even in a select few countries.

“The goal is to spread peace and combat homelessness and world hunger,” she said.

“The organization she created is very inspiring,” said Dwayne Cooks, a volunteer for YOUtopian Estates. “She always thinks of others in everything, not just the organization. She is overall the best person I’ve ever met and I know she will be successful.”