Homeless Youth Alliance Inc

THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION IS TO MEET YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WHERE THEY ARE, SEE THEM ALL AS INDIVIDUALS WITH UNIQUE EXPERIENCES AND LIFE STORIES AND HELP THEM TO BUILD HEALTHIER LIVES.

STREET PROGRAMTHE ORGANIZATION WAS CREATED BY AND FOR THE COMMUNITY IT WORKS WITH. THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES THAT THE BEST WAY TO FOSTER SUCCESS IS BY ADOPTING A PROACTIVE APPROACH, WHILE REMAINING MINDFUL THAT THOSE THE ORGANIZATION SERVES HAVE A RIGHT TO DETERMINE THE COURSE OF THEIR OWN LIVES AND THEIR OWN CARE. ACCORDINGLY, THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO HIRE PEOPLE WHO EITHER HAVE COME DIRECTLY FROM THE POPULATION IT WORKS WITH OR WHO HAVE SHARED SIMILAR LIFE EXPERIENCES. FOR A YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO KNOW THAT THE PERSON SITTING ACROSS FROM THEM HAS EXPERIENCED AND SURVIVED SIMILAR THINGS TO WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH, ALLOWS THE ORGANIZATION TO ENGAGE FROM A PLACE OF TRUE KNOWING, LESSENING THE DEEPLY ROOTED STIGMA AND SHAME THAT ARE SO INTERTWINED WITH HOMELESSNESS. THE ORGANIZATION GETS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT LONG-TERM CHANGE IS POSSIBLE.AFTER LOSING THE DROP-IN CENTER THE ORGANIZATION PIVOTED TOWARDS TAKING OUR CORE SERVICESOUTREACH, CASE MANAGEMENT, FOOD ACCESS, HARM REDUCTION SERVICES, MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE, DRUG TREATMENT, AND GROUPSTO YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WHERE THEY ARE. IT IS THROUGH CONSISTENTLY PROVIDING THESE SERVICES THAT TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS ARE FORMED AND CHANGE HAPPENS.

CAMP (COMMUNITY ACTION MADE 4 PEOPLE) HYAS COVID RESPONSEIN ORDER TO HELP ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ITS COMMUNITY DURING THE COVID-19 SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER, THE ORGANIZATION DESIGNED AND OPERATED SAN FRANCISCOS SECOND SAFE SLEEPING VILLAGE. AFTER AN INCLUSIVE PROCESS, THE ORGANIZATION OPENED CAMP, A TEMPORARY SHELTER AT 730 STANYAN. THE ORGANIZATION SUCCESSFULLY ASSISTED THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE (OF ALL AGES) SHELTERING IN TENTS IN OUR DISTRICT TO VOLUNTARILY MOVE TO CAMP UPON ITS OPENING.THE ORGANIZATIONS 24-7 STAFFING AND ONSITE SERVICES PROVIDED RESIDENTS A SAFE PLACE TO REST AND GET THEIR NEEDS MET. THE ORGANIZATION DEEPLY ENJOYED CREATING THIS SPACE THAT DEMONSTRATED AND HONORED THE RESIDENTS AUTONOMY AND COMMITMENT TO BOTH PERSONAL SAFETY AND COMMUNITY. ALL 80+ RESIDENTS WORKED WITH STAFF TO STABILIZE IN THE SITE AND CREATE PERSONAL EXIT PLANS PRIOR TO THE PROJECT'S CLOSURE. THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES CAMP (WHICH CLOSED IN JUNE 2021) WAS A PROFOUNDLY EFFECTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM THAT COULD BECOME A MODEL FOR FUTURE TEMPORARY SHELTER PROJECTS AND FOR PROVIDING COMMUNAL CONGREGATE LIVING OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM - THE SUNSETTHE ORGANIZATION ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HOUSING REPRESENTS THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS, THE ORGANIZATION NEVER PREVIOUSLY HAD ASPIRED TO OPERATE A HOUSING PROGRAM. HOWEVER, WHEN THE YOUTH THEMSELVES SUPPORTED THE CITYS REQUEST THAT THE ORGANIZATION ASSUME LEADERSHIP OVER AN EXISTING TAY HOUSING PROGRAM, IT RECOGNIZED THEY COULD FILL THIS PARTICULAR NEED.SAN FRANCISCO LACKS ADEQUATE YOUTH-CENTERED HOUSING THAT IS INCLUSIVE OF AND ENGAGED WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DONT FIT INTO A RIGID SET OF GUIDELINES, AND THE ORGANIZATION WAS EAGER TO FACILITATE A HOUSING PROGRAM THAT WAS TRULY ACCESSIBLE TO A DIVERSE POOL OF YOUTH WITH SPECIAL CHALLENGES AND NEEDS.THE ORGANIZATION SUCCESSFULLY HOUSED 41 YOUTH, SUPPORTING THEM IN THEIR EFFORTS TO STABILIZE AND IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, BUILD A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, AND EXPLORE PLACEMENT IN LONG-TERM HOUSING THAT WOULD ENSURE A REAL, PERMANENT EXIT FROM HOMELESSNESS. AFTER A SUCCESSFUL TWO PLUS YEARS HYA CLOSED THIS PROGRAM IN JULY 2021.