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Community Youth Services’ Street Outreach Program assists runaway and homeless youth who have been subjected to, or are at risk of, sexual exploitation, abuse, or victimization. By offering outreach services and helping them build positive relationships with caring adults they can trust, the program assists high risk youth in leaving the streets and finding and adjusting to safe living arrangements.
In order to help youth become independent, self-sufficient, contributing members of society, outreach services are delivered in high-profile areas where and when youth are known to congregate. These services include:
- street-based outreach and education
- crisis intervention
- access to emergency shelter
- basic survival tools (clothing, food, hygiene supplies)
- advocacy
- referrals to needed medical services
- assistance with transportation
- referrals to sexual assault and crisis rape relief counseling
- referrals to drug and alcohol counseling
- a safe daytime drop-in and resource space
- individual assessments and case managements
- relationship building with trustworthy adults
- coordination with community partners such as schools and law enforcement
- assistance in finding housing and employment
- referrals to family counseling
- educational and skill building opportunities
- follow-up support
The range of services varies with each youth’s needs, circumstances, and individual plan of action. The program’s objectives are to assist and support each youth in securing a safe place to live, a legitimate income, a non-street-dependent support system, and resolution with his/her family. As a result of these services, youth begin to break dysfunctional cycles that keep them street dependent.
Youth receiving services become less vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse, have fewer arrests related to substance abuse and/or violent behavior, and increase their ability to trust others. They set healthier boundaries which promote their acceptance of counseling, shelter, and other supports. These services very often lead to family resolution and allow street youth to cease reliving past traumas and start living healthy, productive lives.
The participant-centered Street Outreach program utilizes the Positive Youth Development model, emphasizing individual strengths, solutions and strategies, and promoting each youth’s ability to carry out his or her plan of action.
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