Youth cannot leave the streets until they are stable—meaning they are engaged in counseling, accessing support services, and committed to change. To meet these goals, a case manager is paired with each youth to stabilize his or her situation and find acceptable alternatives to living on the street.The top priority for our clinical case management team is working with youth to stabilize their lives. Whether this means working to reunify with family, drug and alcohol counseling or rehabilitation, a referral into our transitional housing or independent living programs, or daily visits, our counselors are committed to creating with youth a plan to exit street life.
Transitional Housing
offers a safe and secure 24-bed home for youth transitioning off the streets and moving towards independence. For many, the dorm-style facility is the first stable living environment they have had. Learning to maintain a clean living space, opening a checking account, showing respect for oneself and others, and operating within a structured environment are all vital to their ability to live independent lives. Youth work with case managers to identify personal goals focusing on life skills development, job training, education, and ultimately achieving self-sufficiency. These goals are developed into exit plans, which help residents work toward measurable objectives, and progress is reviewed weekly. 90% of youth contacted one year after exiting transition housing were in stable living situations.
|
| |
Independent Living
is a program designed for those youth who need a helping hand to make the final leap to self-sufficiency, or who have the skills to manage a household but lack the funds to afford the entire rent bill. The Independent Living Program utilizes federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds to provide youth with sliding scale rent and utility assistance for up to 18 months. Assistance is based upon income levels and is adjusted monthly to increase financial responsibility in controlled increments. Youth may also receive help with moving costs and acquiring furniture or household items.
|
|
