Two months ago, we shared our strategic direction to bring sharper focus to the heart of our work: providing direct service and critical support ensuring unhoused young people are connected to the services and support they need. Today, we want to update you on the progress we’re making and the stability we’re building for the young people we serve.
Where We Are Today
Our transformation is taking hold. Essential services are stabilized, core programs are operating steadily, and lifesaving shelter, meals, and housing continue for young people impacted by homelessness.
Listening to Youth
Throughout this process, we’ve been actively listening to young people about what they need most. Their voices have directly informed our decisions about which services to strengthen and protect. Young people told us that having a safe place to sleep, hot meals, access to housing, and caring staff who believe in them creates the foundation they need to move forward.
The changes we outlined in October are becoming reality:
- Shelter beds are protected: We’ve maintained our current number of shelter beds, and realigned programs, while making intentional decisions to align our capacity with available resources and ensure safety and compliance standards. Our adolescent shelter continues operating 24/7 with appropriate staffing and supports.
- High-impact services are strengthening: Our commitment to life-affirming services continue uninterrupted. We’re working to centralize our case management approach and strengthen collaboration across our programs to provide more consistent, coordinated support as young people work toward housing.
- Partnerships are growing: We’re building partnerships to connect young people to workforce development, continuing education, and expanded housing opportunities.
- Financial stability is within reach: We’re on track to reach a balanced budget in 2026. Our financial position is stabilizing, and immediate risks have been addressed. While the path has required difficult decisions in response to federal and local funding reductions, we’ve mitigated immediate operational risks and strengthened our financial management systems. We’re actively engaged in collective bargaining negotiations with the goal of reaching an agreement that supports both our staff and our mission while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Our Unwavering Commitment
Throughout this period of transformation, our commitment to the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of the youth we serve is unwavering. YouthCare is the largest front door for literally unhoused young people in our community. Our focus is clear: helping young people secure housing and stability by meeting them exactly where they are, removing barriers to engagement, and creating clear pathways to housing.
These changes have been difficult but essential. We’re building a stronger, more sustainable YouthCare, one that can continue serving our community’s most vulnerable young people today and for many years to come.
Looking Ahead
Our vision is unchanged: a future where no young person experiences homelessness, all young people have the opportunity to thrive, and the systems that oppress them are dismantled. We’re showing up for young people every day, and we need the support of our community now more than ever.
Ways You Can Help:
- Make a charitable donation to ensure youth experiencing homelessness have a safe place to rest
- Volunteer to cook a meal or help at one of our shelters
- Host a donation drive or fundraiser to show our youth they are not alone and that the wider community supports them
- Stay connected with us for updates on our continued progress
In community,
Marty Hartman, Interim CEO
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