He was a young man who drifted in and out of homelessness, stayed on couches at the homes of friends or relatives, slept under the bridge behind the old YMCA building and described himself as invisible. Then he became a father.

After that, he no longer wanted to accept his homelessness. He wanted nothing more than to live under the same roof with his infant daughter and her mother. His dream became a goal, and that goal became a reality when the three of them entered Thames River Family Program.

This young man said that having a family and moving into Thames River saved his life.

While in the program, he worked hard to provide for his family. He started a job that was 20 minutes away by car but rode his bicycle there in the heat of the summer until he was able to get bus tickets. Today, this couple is living in their own apartment. Mom is now working, and he is at home with their daughter while looking for employment that will accommodate both of their schedules.

A growing number of young adults are sliding into homelessness. Thames River Family Program is the only Youth Transitional Housing Program serving young families in the state headed by adults ages 18 to 24.

They come from shelters or other situations of homelessness. Many have been in foster care. Most have had several episodes of homelessness as children.

Many have little or no healthy family supports. Trafficking and other forms of abuse are common. Barely more than children themselves, these are often first-time parents desperately trying to raise their children while keeping a roof over their heads.

Thames River tries to ensure that young adults experiencing homelessness get both housing and support services to achieve stability. To help fund these services, it is holding a Murder Mystery Dinner Dance at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Groton Inn and Suites. Tickets are $65 each or $120 for two. For information, call (860) 887-3288 or visit trfp.org.

Kathy Allen is executive director of the Thames Valley Family Program.

Kindness in Real Life is a regular feature in The Times. To submit, email times@theday.com.