JLCS Youth Transitional Housing Program

Youth Resources
	*Street Outreach –* establishing contact with youth and their families to assist in preventing family dissolution, and providing runaway, homeless, and street youth with education and services to create a safe, effective alternative to street life. The JLCS outreach van is outfitted with necessary survival supplies, and operates 7 days a week. 24-hour contact number: 563-884-4095.
	*Youth Emergency Safe House –* located at 806 W. 5^th Street in downtown Davenport, this shelter offers a safe haven for youth aged 15-18 years old. We can accommodate five (5) males and five (5) females. Length of stay is based on individual needs, but is typically no more than 15 days. Each youth works with a Service Coordinator to develop a plan for family reunification, linkages to other service providers and medical needs, or alternate safe, stable housing arrangements. Individual crisis counseling is available. 24-hour contact number: 563-884-4095.
	*Youth Transitional Housing –* located at 809 W. 6^th Street in downtown Davenport, this transitional program offers youth aged 16-18 years old an opportunity to live in an apartment in an independent living environment. This is a structured program with weekly meetings and plan development with their Service Coordinator. Youth can be in this program up to 2 years. 24-hour contact number: 563-884-4095.
Together, these 3 programs provide an effective, seamless continuum of services for runaway, homeless, and street youth.

Street Outreach for Youth Program

Referrals: Contact Jody Smith, Program Director – Phone: 563.884.4095

Purpose: The purpose of the Street Outreach Youth program is to assist homeless runaway and castaway youth with the tools and support necessary to assist them in making life affirming rather than life negating decisions, and to provide the support and resources to families to facilitate reunification or prevent family dissolution.

Program Services:

Initiate personal contacts with runaway, castaway and homeless youth and provide them with information, referrals, counseling, and other essential services during evening and weekend hours.
Provide crisis counseling to youth and their families to prevent family dissolution or facilitate family reunification
Refer the homeless, castaway and runaway youth for health screening and treatment.
Provide youth with survival essentials including clothing, bedding, and toiletries.
Provide access to housing options, access to showers, laundry facilities, and hot meals on a scheduled basis.
Establish linkages and collaborate with service providers to assure youth access to stable living arrangements with reduced pressure for crime, substance abuse and sexual exploitation.

Runaway and Castaway Youth

Factors

Youth runaway from serious abuse
Family problems (drugs, crime, alcohol abuse and mental health)
Family conflicts over sexual orientation

Source: National Coalition for the Homeless

Nationally

The U.S. Department of Justice estimated that in 1999, nearly 1.7 million youth had a runaway/throwaway episode.
A 1991 national study of former foster youth revealed that 25 percent of the youth were homeless at least one night.
2,500 youth were turned away from Transitional Living Programs due to lack of resources.
4,226 youth were turned away from Youth Emergency Basic Shelters due to lack of resources.
630,000 contacts were made through the Street Outreach Program, meeting the needs of only one-third of those requiring services.

Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness and Runaway and Homeless Youth Management Information System (RHYMIS), 2003

Quad Cities Homeless Youth

An average of 20-24 new homeless or runaway youth are on the streets each day.
Approximately 40 youth are homeless each night.

Source: QC Shelters, local agencies, food pantries, and meal sites

Risk Outcomes for Quad City Youth

Dropping Out of School
Alcohol or Drug Abuse
Malnutrition
Health Problems
Depression
Sexual Exploitation
–Forced to trade sex for a place to sleep or a meal
Suicide

With your help John Lewis Community Services can create a program to effectively assist these vulnerable youth.

Youth Transitional Housing Program

POPULATION WE SERVE:
Male and females
Age: 16 – 18 years old

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: Transitional housing program, which is staffed twenty-four hours. Youth ages 16-18 are provided a safe environment while they continue to gain independence while provided support in achieving goals.

PROGRAM GOALS: To always look at improvement to make sure participants are getting the most out of their time spent with us.

PEOPLE SERVED ON A DAILY/WEEKLY BASIS: Our program provides for eight youth at one given time.

HOW DO WE EXPERIENCE “SUCCESS”?
Success is when a youth grows and achieves his/her goals. He/she grows emotionally and feels as though they have taken the necessary steps to achieve those goals. Success does not have limits.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED?
Volunteers to tutor with homework – GED, cooking and Professional expertise

DONATIONS NEEDED?
All year – it would be helpful to have donations of meat, milk, cheese, eggs…grocery and movie gift certificates.

PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES: Located in neighborhood.

OTHER INFORMATION: You may stay in our program up to two years. They are non-system youth not involved with the court system or DHS. Many are youth who have fallen through the cracks, no longer connected with their families and have multiple issues