The 2011 Sonoma County Homeless Census and Survey documented over 701 homeless youth; a 168% increase since 2009. It is our duty to respond responsibly to the needs of the youth in our community, so we have taken measures to include emerging needs into our strategic plan.
In the next 3 to 5 years SAY seeks to support our youth in the following four ways:
1. Provide hope.
SAY currently serves hundreds of youth and their families annually in our counseling programs. We work in schools, at our Medi-Cal Clinic, with probation and other organizations to serve the mental health needs of our youth. Counseling stabilizes youth, allowing them to finish school, obtain employment and participate in their communities. SAY seeks to grow these counseling programs to reach those families who need it most.
2. Offer opportunities.
Last year SAY employed 120 youth as a partner in the Sonoma County Youth Ecology Corps. For many of the youth participants it was their first job. Many kids used this as an opportunity to “re-start” their lives after leaving behind a life of gang-involvement. These employment opportunities are sometimes the only resource these youth have to breaking a dysfunctional cycle at home. SAY seeks to offer employment services for more young people who need opportunity.
3. Support transformation.
Many foster care youth celebrate their 18th birthday by finding themselves homeless. Without the typical support systems like family and friends, these youth lack direction. Moving from home to home, living for years in group homes, they need training to complete basic life skills like cooking and finding employment. SAY expects to improve and grow transformative services for former foster youth.
4. Reduce youth homelessness.
With the above mentioned growth in youth homelessness, SAY has identified a need for more shelter for young people, as well as a continuum of supportive services. SAY’s proven Street Outreach Program reaches out to these kids to prevent child abuse and exploitation by supporting youth in coming in off the streets and into safe and stable housing and employment. SAY has a vision to reach more at-risk youth to prevent them from experiencing homelessness.
English
