Each young person arrives at YouthCare with a unique story and set of circumstances. For some, quick support—a hot meal, a chat with staff, a visit to the clinic—may be all that’s needed to move forward. For others, the path to stability may look different. Through a combination of individualized services tailored to young people’s needs and a trusting relationship with a caring adult, YouthCare ensures that young people experiencing homelessness achieve long-term stability. The key areas of our service model include:
Prevention
YouthCare’s prevention programs engage and support young people at risk of homelessness. Staff also work with the caring adults in young people’s lives to ensure each youth stays safely housed or returns home quickly.
Engagement
YouthCare engages youth through outreach, meeting basic needs, and providing safe places to sleep. Staff help young people build trust and start to think about their next steps.
Shelter & Housing
YouthCare’s housing programs help young people build independent living skills and provide a stable foundation to pursue education and employment opportunities that lead to thriving independence.
Employment
YouthCare’s employment programs include a range of options from the first steps of job readiness to internships and employment in the local economy.
Education
YouthCare offers flexible and individualized high school diploma and GED programs designed to help young people reconnect to school and work towards post-secondary options.
Bridge Continuum
YouthCare’s Bridge Continuum provides specialized services to young people who have experienced sexual exploitation. These services include case management, emergency shelter, long-term housing, education, employment training, and access to mental health and chemical dependency counseling.