S T C A F QUICK SS YOUTH
E L E M O H & Y A OREGON , Y T W N A U O N C U N O R T ING OF SER VED IN WASH OVERVIEW & IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE
For the past several years, Boys & Girls Aid and HomePlate Youth Services have been working in collaboration with Washington County Housing Services and Commission for Children & Families to build a continuum of services to meet the needs of runaway and homeless youth. The goal is to ensure a stable continuum of services that includes outreach, shelter, transitional living, and permanent housing services.
HOMEPLATE YOUTH SERVICES
Youth served at HomePlate are often the youth who have fallen through the cracks of family and school systems. HomePlate is the first place they’ve belonged and can get connected to needed services and positive adults. HomePlate has expanded outreach and drop-in hours and locations over the past two years and now provides three drop-in center nights and two full time outreach workers. In 2011: • 405 youth were served (55% increase over the previous year and over 1,500 since opening in 2005); • 1,800 meals were served and 2,791 basic needs resources were provided; and • 256 community volunteers donated over 5,900 hours.
SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH SHELTER Youth served at Safe Place, a program of Boys & Girls Aid, are in need of shelter, basic needs and guidance. Safe Place protects youth from the risks of homelessness such as sexual exploitation, being unsafe to themselves or others, and illegal activity. Since opening in 2006: • 322 youth were served with an average length of stay of 20 days; • 6,705 nights of shelter care were provided; • 64% of youth who stayed longer than three days returned to school and participated in our skill building activities; • 49% of youth who stayed longer than two weeks participated in family counseling to rebuild their relationships; and • 75% of youth, upon program completion, returned home, moved in with a relative, or entered a transitional living program.
TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM The Transitional Living Program at Boys & Girls Aid serves youth for two years, which enables them to improve their income and education while learning the skills necessary for independent living. Many of the youth served through this program came through Safe Place, and most stay 18-24 months. Outcomes for youth in the Transitional Living Program since 2003: • 105 youth served; • 63% have increased their education level; • 61% have increased their income; • 66% have saved a portion of their income; and • 70% have transitioned to living independently.
INVEST NOW AND SAVE LATER
Every dollar invested today results in nearly $7 in cost savings. By providing preventative services to youth now; chronic homelessness, health issues, incarceration, pregnancy, and public assistance problems can be avoided later. Invest in our youth and help them achieve a safe and healthy future.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN HELP: Boys & Girls Aid: 503-542-2301 | info@boysandgirlsaid.org Homeplate: Donate at 971-322-9381 | Volunteer at 971-238-3055