Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriella Young.
Hi Gabriella, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been working in mental health and addiction for close to 10 years now. I actually started more on the primary mental health side, then transitioned into addiction a little over four years ago. During college, I had my own experiences with mental health, which really pushed me toward pursuing a degree in psychology. I ended up completing my bachelor’s and then took an internship at a forensic psychology unit through Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, which is where I really fell in love with the field and decided to pursue my master’s in forensic psychology.
After that, I was given the opportunity to help manage a PHP/IOP program in Myrtle Beach. That experience really opened my eyes to addiction in a much deeper way—beyond just what I had seen personally. One of the biggest gaps I kept running into was what happens after treatment. Clients were ready to take the next step, but finding supportive housing was extremely difficult. On top of that, many couldn’t afford it because they weren’t working while in treatment.
Seeing that over and over again is really what led me to help create YoungPath. I wanted to build more than just a directory—I wanted something that actually makes it easier for people and providers to find the right fit. So the platform gives clear, upfront information like cost, scholarships, gender-specific housing, pet-friendly options, MAT-friendly homes, and even real-time availability—whether a home is open, limited, or waitlisted.
At the end of the day, I’m just trying to help close that gap. Supportive housing plays a huge role in long-term recovery, and when people can’t find a place to go, the risk of relapse goes way up. YoungPath is really about making that next step more accessible and less overwhelming.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest things I underestimated was how much detail actually goes into building a platform like this. There are so many moving parts—everything from how information is displayed to making sure it’s actually useful and easy for people to navigate. That’s been a huge learning curve.
Another challenge has been realizing that even though we’ve onboarded over 40 homes, it’s still not enough. The need is so much bigger than that. I’m from Charleston and especially in South Carolina, it’s been tough getting homes onboarded. A lot of it comes down to awareness—people just don’t know we exist yet.
That’s honestly why we’ve made the decision not to charge providers right now. The priority isn’t profit—it’s getting as many quality homes on the platform as possible so people actually have options when they need them. Right now, it’s really about getting the word out, building trust, and continuing to grow so we can truly help fill that gap in supportive housing.
As you know, we’re big fans of YoungPath. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
YoungPath is a recovery housing platform designed to make it easier for individuals, families, and professionals to find sober living. We specialize in simplifying what is usually a confusing and time-consuming process.
What sets us apart is that we’re not just a basic directory. We focus on clear, structured information so people can make informed decisions before ever making a call—things like cost, scholarships, gender-specific housing, MAT-friendly options, pet policies, and real-time availability.
We also prioritize the provider side, giving quality homes a way to showcase what they offer while helping them connect with the right referrals.
What I’m most proud of is the mission behind it. We’re really focused on closing the gap between treatment and stable housing. If we can make that transition easier and give people real options, then we’re doing what we set out to do.
At the end of the day, YoungPath is about making recovery housing more transparent, accessible, and easier to navigate.
Any big plans?
Right now, we’re moving into Phase 2, which is focused on building out the core functionality of the platform. That includes stronger search, filtering, and sorting so users can actually narrow down options based on what they need. We’re also working on making listings more structured and consistent, along with creating a bigger and better onboarding process for providers so it’s easier for them to join and manage their information. Another big focus is improving how updates—like availability—are handled so they’re more real-time.
From there, Phase 3 is about evolving into a full placement infrastructure platform. The goal is to go beyond just listings and actually support the entire placement process from start to finish. That includes a provider login portal, real-time bed updates, referral pipeline tracking, and tools for discharge planners to manage placements more efficiently. We’re also building features like saving and comparing homes, tracking placement status and outcomes, and measuring things like operator response times.
Long term, we’re looking at integrations with platforms like Google and Yelp to make everything more connected.
Overall, I’m excited to take YoungPath from a platform people use to search for housing to something they rely on to actually manage and complete placements end-to-end.
Pricing:
- 30 day free for providers right now
- $99/mo for your provider page and first home
- $49/mo for each additional home
Contact Info:
- Website: https://youngpathrecovery.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngpathrecovery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1XtVRmbhmq/
