Waypoint opens new youth resource centers and overnight emergency shelter

On October 31, 2022, Waypoint opened its new youth resource centers in Manchester and Rochester, and an overnight emergency shelter for young people experiencing homelessness in Manchester. The YRC in Rochester is located at 3 Wallace Street, and the YRC and shelter in Manchester is at 298 Hanover Street.

For years, Waypoint has been planning this expansion of services. The agency began confronting youth homelessness back in the 1970s and has grown its programs over the years to include Street Outreach, Runaway and Homeless Youth Services, Transitional Living Program, Rapid Rehousing, Youth Resource Centers, and now, the first and only overnight emergency shelter of its kind in New Hampshire.

Today, working in tandem with providers, advocates, law enforcement, supporters, legislators, and other partners, Waypoint is the only provider offering a comprehensive array of services for young people experiencing homelessness across New Hampshire.

It is estimated that over 14,000 young people will experience some form of homelessness in New Hampshire this year. On average, Waypoint makes approximately 1,500 contacts a year with such youth, providing the stuff with which to survive, and to succeed.

The YRC drop-in centers serve youth, ages 12-24, and provide access to basic needs such as a place to warm up or cool down, food, clothing, showers, and laundry. At the YRCs, youth can also work on goals, participate in independent living skills groups or recreational opportunities, and access intensive case management and other services.

The shelter houses 14 beds and will provide young people, ages 18-24, with low-barrier access to emergency beds and to all the services provided at the YRC during daytime hours. Until now, New Hampshire was the only state in New England without an overnight emergency shelter with a continuum of services dedicated to young people.

The Manchester site also includes three affordable apartments to help youth transition to permanent housing.

Design and construction of the Rochester site was by Tennant Goucher Architects and Ryan CM, and of the Manchester site by Cornerstone PDC, LLC; SMP Architecture; and Northpoint Engineering.

“This expansion is part of a comprehensive, coordinated, and collaborative response to youth and young adult homelessness in NH and will strengthen the statewide social safety net for our most vulnerable youth” says Borja Alvarez de Toledo, president and CEO of Waypoint. “And, it wouldn’t be possible without a strong, caring community to support it. We are forever grateful for the opportunity to help change the trajectory of so many young lives, and to get another step closer to ending youth homelessness in New Hampshire; this is our ultimate goal.”

MAYOR JOYCE CRAIG JOINS IN THE MANCHESTER RIBBON CUTTING

Community members left inspirational messages for young people to see and take.